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Phishing

Ankit0

Definition:

Phishing is a type of social engineering attack where a malicious actor tricks individuals into divulging sensitive information, such as passwords, emails, or financial details, by disguising themselves as a trusted entity.

Types of Phishing:

  • Email Phishing: Scammers send emails posing as legitimate organizations, asking for sensitive information such as passwords, credit card numbers, or personal details.
  • Web Phishing: Scammers create fake websites that mimic legitimate ones to lure victims into providing their credentials.
  • SMS Phishing: Scammers send text messages disguised as from a trusted sender requesting sensitive information.
  • Social Media Phishing: Scammers use social media platforms to target individuals with fake messages or friend requests.
  • Mail Phishing: Scammers intercept emails between a victim and a legitimate organization and insert malicious code or links.

Methods:

  • Spoofing: Mimicking the appearance of a legitimate sender’s email address or website.
  • Deceptive Messaging: Using persuasive language and urgency to trick victims into taking action.
  • Exploitation of Social Engineering: Exploiting human emotions, such as fear, greed, or curiosity.
  • Credential Harvesting: Stealing passwords and other credentials from victims.
  • Malware Installation: Planting malware on victim computers to steal data or track their activities.

Prevention:

  • Be cautious of suspicious emails and messages: Verify the sender’s identity and be wary of links or attachments from unknown sources.
  • Use strong passwords and security measures: Use unique passwords and consider multi-factor authentication for added security.
  • Be vigilant on social media: Be aware of unsolicited friend requests or messages and be cautious about providing personal information online.
  • Install anti-phishing software: Use security software that can detect and block phishing attempts.
  • Educate yourself: Stay informed about phishing techniques and scams.

Detection:

  • Monitor your accounts and credit reports: Regularly check for unauthorized activity or suspicious changes.
  • Be watchful for suspicious emails and website addresses: Pay attention to slight variations in email addresses or website domain names.
  • Report scams: If you encounter a phishing attack, report it to the relevant authorities.

FAQs

  1. What is phishing?

    Phishing is a cyber-attack where attackers pose as trusted entities to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information, such as passwords or credit card numbers.

  2. What is an example of phishing?

    A common example is an email pretending to be from a bank, asking the recipient to click a link and enter login credentials to “verify their account.”

  3. How is phishing done?

    Phishing is typically done through fake emails, websites, or messages that appear legitimate, luring victims into providing sensitive data.

  4. What is an example of phishing in India?

    An example includes fake income tax refund emails asking recipients to enter personal information on a fraudulent website.

  5. What is the most common form of phishing?

    Email phishing is the most common form, where attackers send mass emails pretending to be reputable organizations.

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