Definition: Phishing is a particularly devious form of Web fraud that tricks users into submitting personal information (such as credit card data, social security numbers, passwords, etc.) and then using that information fraudulently, usually in identity theft.
Phishing exploits are usually attempted in two ways:
- Email: An email is sent from what looks to be a legitimate organization, asking for personal information in order to fix an issue.
- Web sites: Legitimate Web sites are copied to lure users into a false sense of security when entering in personal information.
How to resist phishing attacks
Phishing attack share a few common identifiers that make them easy to spot. Learn how to identify phishing attempts and protect your personal information with the following articles and tutorials:
- Phishing 101: How to identify and avoid phishing emails and Web sites.
- What is Phishing?: A comprehensive guide to phishing and how to avoid identity theft online.
- Phishihg Scams: A guide to the most common phishing scams, and how to avoid them.
Also Known As: identity theft, spoofing, hacking
