What is a phishing scam?

A phishing scam is a type of cyberattack in which attackers deceive individuals into revealing sensitive information, such as passwords, credit card numbers, or other personal details, by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in electronic communications. Typically, phishing attempts are made through emails, text messages, or instant messages that look legitimate, often mimicking the appearance and tone of communications from banks, social networks, online stores, or even government agencies.

The messages might contain urgent or enticing prompts that lead the recipient to click on malicious links or attachments, directing them to fake websites that look real. On these websites, victims are tricked into entering their personal information, which the attackers then steal. Phishing can also involve the installation of malware on the victim's computer when they download a malicious file from the phishing message. The main goal of phishing is usually to commit financial fraud or identity theft.

How does it work?

Phishing typically follows a multi-step process designed to trick individuals into divulging sensitive information or installing malicious software. Here’s a general breakdown of how it usually works:

1. Targeting: Phishers decide whom to target, often choosing individuals or organizations that they believe will be most profitable or vulnerable. They might gather email addresses or other contact details through various means, such as data breaches, purchases from the dark web, or scraping websites.

2. Crafting the Message: The attackers craft emails or messages that appear legitimate and trustworthy. These messages often mimic the style, branding, and tone of legitimate organizations, such as banks, credit card companies, tech companies, or government agencies. The content typically includes a sense of urgency or a compelling reason for the recipient to act quickly, such as a problem with an account, a missed delivery, or a legal issue.

3. Delivering the Bait: The phishing message is sent out to potential victims. This might be done through email, but it can also involve SMS texts, social media messages, or even phone calls (voice phishing or "vishing").

4. Deceptive Links or Attachments: The message usually contains a malicious link or attachment. The link might lead to a fake website that looks identical to a legitimate site, where victims are prompted to enter their personal information. Alternatively, the attachment might contain malware designed to be installed on the victim’s device when opened.

5. Harvesting Information: If the victim falls for the bait and enters personal information (like login credentials, social security numbers, or financial details) on the fake site, this data is sent directly to the attackers. If the attachment is opened, malware installed on the device can give attackers long-term access to the victim’s system, allowing them to steal information over time or commit other forms of cybercrime.

6. Exploitation: With the information or access obtained, attackers can steal money, commit identity theft, sell the information to other criminals, or use the compromised accounts for further attacks.

The effectiveness of phishing scams often relies on the psychological manipulation of the victim, leveraging tactics like fear, urgency, and the appearance of legitimacy to prompt rash actions. Cybersecurity education and awareness are key defenses against these tactics.

Why is it called a "phishing" scam?

The term "phishing" is a play on the word "fishing," reflecting the concept of baiting a hook and waiting for a bite. In the context of the scam, the bait is typically a deceptive message designed to lure victims into providing sensitive information. The "ph" in "phishing" is believed to have been influenced by earlier hacker culture, which often replaced "f" with "ph" in various terms to signify "phreaking" or "phone hacking" techniques that were popular among hackers in the 1970s and 1980s.

Thus, "phishing" relates to the idea of "fishing for information." The attackers throw out their deceptive lures through emails or messages, hoping to "catch" unsuspecting individuals who take the bait and provide their personal data, such as passwords or credit card numbers.