What is phishing?
Phishing is a type of cyberattack where fraudsters impersonate legitimate organizations or individuals to trick you into sharing sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, credit card details, or other personal data. Phishing is typically carried out through deceptive emails, text messages, or websites that appear to be from trusted sources, such as your bank, online retailers, or social media platforms.
Phishing attacks often create a sense of urgency or fear (e.g., claiming your account will be suspended or compromised unless you act immediately), prompting you to click on malicious links or provide personal information. Once the attacker has this data, they can use it for identity theft, fraud, or other illegal activities.
To protect yourself from phishing, always verify the source before clicking links or providing personal details, and be wary of unsolicited messages that seem too good to be true or create a sense of urgency.