What is a phishing attack? 🎣

A phishing attack is a type of cyber attack where the attacker poses as a trustworthy entity to trick individuals into disclosing sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, credit card numbers, or other sensitive data. ✉️Email Phishing: This is the most common type of phishing scam. In this type of attack, attackers send fraudulent emails appearing to be from a reputable source (like a bank, internet provider, or reputable company) to induce individuals to reveal personal information. These emails often include a link to a fake website where you're asked to enter your personal data. 🎯Spear Phishing: This is a more targeted form of phishing. In spear phishing, the attackers personalize their emails to target specific individuals, businesses, or organizations. This approach requires more effort on the part of the attacker but can be more successful due to its personalized nature. 📱Smishing and Vishing: These terms refer to phishing attacks carried out over SMS (text messages) and voice calls, respectively. In these types of attacks, the fraudster attempts to trick the individual into giving their private data over the phone or via text. 🚜Pharming: This type of phishing attack involves malicious code being installed on a user's computer or server, misdirecting users to fraudulent websites without their knowledge or consent. Phishing attacks rely heavily on social engineering techniques, aiming to exploit human error and trick people into breaking standard security practices. To protect yourself, always be skeptical of unsolicited communication and never provide personal information in response to an email, phone call, or text message. Always verify the source before clicking any links or downloading attachments.