Cybersecurity Website

Phishing

Phishing is a type of cyberattack where attackers disguise themselves as trustworthy entities to trick individuals into providing sensitive information, such as passwords, credit card numbers, or personal details.

Common Phishing Techniques

  • Email Phishing: Fraudulent emails that appear to come from legitimate sources.
  • Spear Phishing: Targeted phishing attacks aimed at specific individuals or organizations.
  • Smishing: Phishing attempts via SMS messages.
  • Vishing: Phishing attempts via voice calls.

How to Avoid Phishing Scams

  • Be cautious of unsolicited emails or messages asking for sensitive information.
  • Verify the sender's identity before clicking on links or downloading attachments.
  • Enable two-factor authentication for added security.
  • Report phishing attempts to your email provider or IT department.

Notable Phishing Examples

Google Docs Phishing Attack

Google Docs Phishing Attack

2017

A sophisticated phishing attack that tricked users into granting access to their Google accounts by mimicking a legitimate Google Docs invitation.

Target Data Breach

Target Data Breach

2013

A data breach that resulted from a phishing attack, compromising the credit card information of millions of customers.