Phishing is the technique of delivering false communications—typically by email and text messaging—that seem to be from a reliable and authentic source.
The attacker wants to put malware on the victim's device, steal money, or obtain private information and login credentials. Phishing is an increasingly prevalent, harmful, and destructive form of cyberattack.
How does phishing work?
Phishing occurs when a victim is tricked into divulging private information by a trusted (or occasionally seemingly desperate) sender via emails or other correspondence that appears authentic but is actually fraudulent. This is frequently done on what appears to be a convincingly credible website. The victim's computer may occasionally additionally receive malware or ransomware.
Who are the targets of phishing?
Anyone. The majority of phishing attacks aim to mislead a certain percentage of users by targeting a large number of email addresses. Users can learn how to spot phishing communications and learn about the risks of phishing attacks by participating in security awareness training.
Why are phishing attacks so effective?
Phishing is effective because it exploits the vulnerabilities of human nature, including a tendency to trust others, act out of curiosity, or respond emotionally to urgent messages. And phishing attacks are increasingly easy to perpetrate with phishing kits readily available on the dark web. With easy access to bulk email addresses and virtually free email sending, it is a relatively low-risk endeavor for attackers.
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