- Phishing is a type of cyber attack where attackers deceive users by sending fraudulent emails or messages that appear to come from trusted sources, tricking them into revealing sensitive information like usernames and passwords.
- Attackers use phishing to steal personal data for various malicious purposes, including committing identity fraud, taking over computer networks, accessing private emails, or obtaining customer records.
- A targeted form of phishing, known as spear phishing, is particularly dangerous because it uses personalized information about the victim (such as name, address, or job title) gathered from social media to make the fake message seem more convincing.
- To spot phishing attempts, users should carefully check the website’s address bar in their browser, ensuring the domain name exactly matches the legitimate site they intend to visit, as attackers often use domains that look similar but are not identical.
- The best way to secure an account against phishing attacks is to enable two-factor authentication (2FA), which requires a second form of verification beyond just a password.
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