What does "phishing" refer to?

Phishing refers to a socially-engineered technique used by cybercriminals to trick individuals into divulging sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, credit card numbers, or other personal details. This is typically accomplished through deceptive emails, websites, or messages that impersonate legitimate organizations or individuals, thereby luring victims into providing their information unwittingly.

Understanding phishing is crucial in network security as it highlights the importance of user awareness and education. Combating phishing requires both technological measures, such as spam filters and security protocols, and human vigilance to identify suspicious communications. By recognizing the tactics used in phishing attempts, users can protect themselves and their organizations from data breaches and identity theft.