Description: Phishing is an online fraud method that seeks to collect personal information, such as passwords, credit card numbers, and banking data, by using deceptive emails and websites. Attackers impersonate legitimate entities, such as banks, payment services, or social media platforms, to trick victims into revealing sensitive information. This type of attack relies on social engineering, exploiting user trust and their lack of awareness about cyber threats. Phishing can take various forms, including emails, text messages (smishing), and phone calls (vishing), and can have devastating consequences for victims, including identity theft and significant financial losses. Preventing phishing involves user education, the use of multi-factor authentication, and the implementation of security technologies that detect and block phishing attempts.
History: The term ‘phishing’ originated in the 1990s when cybercriminals began using social engineering techniques to steal account information from various online services. As the Internet expanded, so did phishing tactics, evolving from simple emails to more sophisticated attacks that use fake websites that mimic legitimate ones. One of the most significant events in the history of phishing was the eBay attack in 2000, where attackers sent fake emails to users to steal their credentials. Since then, phishing has continued to evolve, adapting to new technologies and platforms.
Uses: Phishing is primarily used to steal personal and financial information from victims. Attackers can use the collected information to commit fraud, such as identity theft, unauthorized access to bank accounts, and making fraudulent purchases. Additionally, phishing can serve as an entry point for other types of cyberattacks, such as installing malware on victims’ devices. Organizations can also be targeted by spear phishing attacks, known as ‘whaling,’ where attackers focus on high-level executives to gain access to critical information.
Examples: An example of phishing is an email that appears to come from a bank, asking users to verify their account information through a link. By clicking the link, users are taken to a fake website that mimics the bank’s site, where they enter their personal information. Another example is smishing, where attackers send text messages that appear to be from legitimate services, asking users to click a link to update their information. In 2020, a phishing attack targeting employees of a tech company resulted in the theft of access credentials to critical systems.
