What is phishing?
Q: What is phishing?
A: Phishing is a way that criminals obtain sensitive information like usernames and passwords by using social engineering tactics.
Q: How is phishing usually done?
A: Phishing is usually done through electronic mail. The email appears to come from a legitimate service provider and asks users to re-enter their usernames and passwords to confirm them.
Q: What happens if criminals successfully phish sensitive information?
A: If criminals successfully phish sensitive information, they are able to gain access to bank accounts or other accounts like shopping, auction or gaming accounts, which can ultimately lead to identity theft.
Q: Has phishing changed over the lifetime of the internet?
A: Phishing has changed surprisingly little over the lifetime of the internet, although certain phishing tactics have gotten much more sophisticated.
Q: How do criminals use email to carry out phishing?
A: Criminals use spoofed email addresses to create emails that are designed to look just like emails sent from a real company.
Q: Can phishing be done through other forms of communication?
A: Yes, phishing can also be done through text, instant messaging apps like Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp, and even through snail mail.
Q: How can you identify a potential phishing link through text?
A: If you receive a text from an unknown number that tells you to visit a specific website for any reason, it might be a phishing link.
