Phishing is a cyber attack that uses disguised email as a weapon. The goal is to trick the email recipient into believing that the message is something they want or need — a request from their bank, for instance, or a note from someone in their company — and to click a link or download an attachment.

What is the meaning of phishing fishing?

phishing • /FISH-ing/ • noun. : a scam by which an e-mail user is duped into revealing personal or confidential information which the scammer can use illicitly. Examples: The widespread use of electronic banking and financial transactions has prompted the FTC to crack down on cyber crimes, such as phishing.

What are 4 types of phishing?

What are the different types of phishing?Spear Phishing.Whaling.Vishing.Email Phishing.

What are 3 types of spear phishing emails?

The 5 most common types of phishing attackEmail phishing. Most phishing attacks are sent by email. Whaling. Whaling attacks are even more targeted, taking aim at senior executives. Smishing and vishing. Angler phishing. Your employees are your last line of defence.16 Apr 2020

Can I go to jail for phishing?

Jail or prison. A phishing conviction can easily result in a year or more in prison if youre convicted of a felony. Laws differ widely, but penalties of up to five years in prison are possible with felony convictions. Misdemeanor convictions can result in up to a year in jail.

What are common phishing attacks?

1. Email phishing. Also called “deception phishing,” email phishing is one of the most well-known attack types. Malicious actors send emails to users impersonating a known brand, leverage social engineering tactics to create a heightened sense of immediacy and then lead people to click on a link or download an asset.

Is it illegal to send phishing emails?

While phishing is covered under various state laws, there is no single federal statute that directly criminalizes this type of activity. However, there are broader federal criminal laws that do apply to phishing and other identity theft crimes.

Can I make a fake Gmail?

Creating Disposable Gmail Address Besides creating a fake Gmail account with a password through your smartphone, you can also use generator options to create a disposable Gmail address. By doing so, you will have a fake account which is impossible to be tracked.

What happens if you get caught phishing?

Those charged with phishing can face fines, a prison sentence or probation. A felony phishing conviction can carry a sentence of up to five years in prison, while a misdemeanor phishing conviction can result in up to a year in prison.