What is phishing?

Phishing: A Digital Fishing Expedition

Phishing is a type of cybercrime where scammers attempt to trick you into revealing sensitive information, like passwords, credit card numbers, or social security numbers. They often do this by pretending to be a trusted organization, like your bank or a popular online service.

How does it work?

* Deceptive emails or messages: Phishers send emails, texts, or messages that appear to come from legitimate sources. They might create a sense of urgency or fear to pressure you into clicking on a link or downloading an attachment.
* Fake websites: Clicking on the link often takes you to a fake website that looks identical to the real one. This is where they try to steal your information.
* Information theft: Once you provide your personal information, scammers can use it for identity theft, financial fraud, or other malicious purposes.

Common phishing tactics:

* Email phishing: The most common type, using fraudulent emails.
* Smishing: Phishing through text messages.
* Vishing: Phishing through voice calls (often automated).

How to protect yourself:

* Be cautious of suspicious emails and messages: Look for typos, grammatical errors, or unexpected requests.
* Verify the sender: Hover over links before clicking to check the actual URL.
* Avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading attachments.
* Use strong, unique passwords.
* Enable two-factor authentication.
* Keep your software updated.

Remember: Legitimate organizations will never ask for your personal information through email or text. If you suspect a phishing attempt, don't hesitate to report it.

Would you like to learn more about specific phishing tactics or how to identify suspicious emails?