Phishing: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The term combines 'fishing' with the letter 'ph' to suggest catching information like a fisherman catches fish.
• It emerged in the 1990s as internet usage grew and criminals sought ways to steal identities digitally.
• Different kinds of phishing exist, each with their own sinister bait and methods.

Historical Context

• The first known phishing attacks appeared in the early days of AOL, where scammers posed as AOL employees to steal user accounts.
• In 2004, a significant phishing wave targeted PayPal users, marking the start of the widespread awareness of the issue.
• As online banking became popular, phishing efforts also evolved, adapting to lure banking customers into revealing sensitive information.

Technology

• Phishing often uses emails that look official, tricking users into clicking malicious links or attachments.
• Creative scammers adapt their techniques in response to actions taken by companies to secure their systems, making them more sophisticated.
• Phishing isn’t just limited to email anymore; social media and messaging apps have also become common platforms for these attacks.

Pop Culture

• Phishing has been depicted in various TV shows and movies, often highlighting the clever tricks criminals use to deceive characters.
• In cybersecurity-themed shows, characters often face phishing scenarios that mirror real-world tactics, raising awareness about digital safety.
• Gaming communities have also seen phishing attempts, with hackers targeting players through fake game accounts.

Psychology

• Understanding human emotions and behaviors is key for phishers; they often exploit fear or urgency to prompt quick responses.
• Research shows that people tend to lower their defenses when under stress, making them more likely to fall for phishing attempts.
• Confidence and social proof are strategies employed by attackers, as they present themselves as trustworthy by mimicking legitimate sources.

This word's position of #34,684 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.

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• 34681 orthodontist
• 34682 circumcise
• 34683 glob
• 34684 phishing
• 34685 mimed
• 34686 penalise
• 34687 personifying
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