What is Phishing Email?
A phishing email is a deceptive message disguised as a legitimate communication from a trusted source, aiming to trick recipients into revealing sensitive information like passwords or credit card details.
Here's a more detailed explanation:
Deceptive Nature:
Phishing emails are designed to appear authentic, often mimicking emails from banks, online retailers, or other well-known organizations.
Goal:
The primary goal of a phishing email is to steal personal information, login credentials, or financial data.
Methods:
Phishing emails might include:
Fake Links: Links that lead to fake websites designed to look like the real thing, where users are prompted to enter sensitive data.
Urgent Requests: Demands for immediate action, like account verification or password resets, to create a sense of urgency.
Attachments: Malicious attachments that, when opened, install malware on the user's device.
Examples:
Phishing emails might pretend to be from:
Your bank, asking you to verify your account.
A social media platform, informing you of a security breach.
An online retailer, asking you to update your shipping address.