Glossary
What is Phishing?
- Phishing
Phishing is a type of fraud in which an attacker pretends to be a known or trustworthy sender. The goal may be to get the recipient to disclose login information, open malicious content, or authorize a payment. These attempts often come via email.
- Also known as: Online Fishing
An attempt to abuse trust
The attack may use well-known names, logos, and a sense of urgency to make the message seem convincing. Professional language is not in itself a sign that the message is genuine. Phishing describes the method, while phishing simulation is a controlled exercise in which similar situations are used for training. The key point is that the recipient acts on false pretenses.
Example: Phishing
An employee receives an unexpected email stating that their company account must be verified immediately. The message displays a familiar logo and a link to the login page. The employee contacts IT through the usual channel. It turns out that the message did not come from the company’s system provider.
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