What does "phishing" aim to do?

Phishing aims to trick individuals into sharing sensitive information through fraudulent communications, typically via email or other digital channels. It involves creating a deceptive representation, often mimicking a legitimate organization, to manipulate victims into revealing personal details such as passwords, credit card numbers, or social security numbers. This malicious tactic leverages social engineering principles, exploiting human psychology rather than solely relying on technical vulnerabilities.

By creating a sense of urgency or prompting users to verify their credentials due to a supposed account issue, attackers effectively deceive victims into providing confidential information. Understanding this tactic is crucial for individuals and organizations as it highlights the importance of vigilance and recognizing suspicious communications to safeguard sensitive data.