What does the term “phishing” refer to in internet security?

Phishing refers to a deceptive technique utilized by cybercriminals to trick individuals into revealing sensitive personal information, such as usernames, passwords, credit card numbers, or other private data. This is often accomplished through fraudulent emails, messages, or websites that appear to be legitimate. The attackers typically create a sense of urgency or use other psychological manipulation tactics to compel the target to act quickly without critically evaluating the authenticity of the request.

This method is distinctly different from activities like improving email marketing or ensuring strong passwords, as those pertain to legitimate practices focused on enhancing communication and security. Additionally, phishing does not involve uploading secure files, which is more about data storage and transfer. Understanding phishing is essential as it remains one of the most prevalent threats in internet security today.