What is phishing?

Phishing is best defined as a fraudulent attempt to obtain sensitive information by pretending to be a trustworthy entity. This malicious practice often involves sending emails, messages, or creating websites that mimic legitimate businesses in order to deceive individuals into providing personal data such as passwords, credit card numbers, or social security numbers.

Understanding phishing is crucial in cybersecurity as it remains one of the most prevalent and ongoing threats. Attackers might use various tactics, such as creating a sense of urgency or offering rewards, to trick victims into revealing their information. Recognizing the signs of phishing attempts plays a key role in mitigating risks to personal and organizational security.

Other choices mention techniques unrelated to the fundamental nature of phishing. While data encryption is essential for protecting information integrity, it does not relate to the deceptive practices used in phishing. Network security measures encompass a wide range of strategies, but they do not specifically identify the act of impersonating a trustworthy entity for information theft. Similarly, clearing malware from a system is a distinct process and not relevant to the definition of phishing. Understanding these distinctions helps reinforce the broader concepts of cybersecurity threats and defenses.