What is phishing in cybersecurity?

Phishing is a technique used in cybersecurity that involves tricking individuals into revealing sensitive or confidential information, such as passwords, credit card numbers, or personal identification information. Attackers typically use deceptive emails, messages, or websites that appear to be legitimate to lure victims into providing their information voluntarily.

By masquerading as a trustworthy entity, phishing attempts exploit human psychology, leveraging the instinct to trust familiar sources. Victims often do not realize they are providing their information to a malicious actor until it is too late, leading to potential identity theft or financial loss.

Understanding the nature of phishing is crucial for maintaining cybersecurity, as recognizing the tactics used in these scams is a key defensive strategy for protecting personal and organizational data.