Phishing is a cyberattack where attackers impersonate trusted entities to deceive users into revealing sensitive information such as credentials, financial data, or personal identity information. It is a key method in cybersecurity for unauthorized data access and social engineering attacks.

Phishing doesn’t exploit software bugs—it exploits human trust. Attackers send emails, messages, or create websites that look legitimate to trick users into giving away passwords, credit card numbers, or other sensitive data. Recognizing phishing is a core skill in cybersecurity awareness.

Real-World Examples

• Email Phishing – Fake bank, e-commerce, or service emails requesting login updates.
• Spear Phishing – Targeted phishing using personal or company info.
• Smishing – Fraudulent SMS messages with malicious links.
• Vishing – Phone calls pretending to be IT/security staff or banks.
• Clone Websites – Fake websites designed to harvest credentials.

Prevention Tips

• Check sender addresses and domain authenticity
• Avoid clicking suspicious links or attachments
• Use multi-factor authentication (MFA)
• Educate employees and users about phishing indicators
• Keep software updated to block known phishing exploits

Summary

Phishing is one of the most common and dangerous social engineering attacks in cybersecurity. Training, awareness, and technical safeguards are essential to defend against it.