A phishing attack is a type of cyberattack that uses social engineering to trick people into revealing sensitive information, such as passwords, credit card numbers, or other personal information. Phishing attacks are often carried out through email or instant messaging, and typically involve a message that appears to come from a trusted source, such as a bank, an online retailer, or a government agency.
The message may contain a link to a fake website that looks like the legitimate one, but is actually controlled by the attacker. When the victim clicks on the link and enters their personal information, it is sent directly to the attacker, who can use it for malicious purposes.
Phishing attacks can also be delivered through other means, such as phone calls, text messages, or social media messages.
To protect yourself from phishing attacks, it's important to be wary of unexpected messages that ask for personal information. Always be suspicious of unsolicited emails, instant messages, or phone calls that ask for sensitive information. It's also a good idea to never click on links in suspicious messages, and to always check the authenticity of a website before entering personal information.