Phishing is a cybercrime where attackers attempt to gain access to sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, credit card details, or personal data, by masquerading as a trustworthy entity.
This is typically done through emails, phone calls, SMS, or social media messages.
Key Terms:
Techniques: Phishing emails often appear to be from legitimate sources like banks, government agencies, or social media platforms. They may contain urgent requests to click on a link, download an attachment, or update personal information.
Red Flags: Common red flags in phishing attempts include grammatical errors, misspelled domain names, generic greetings, and a sense of urgency to take action.
Impact: Phishing attacks can result in financial losses, identity theft, data breaches, and reputational damage.
Preventive Measures: Do not click on suspicious links or attachments. Verify the sender’s identity before responding. Be cautious about sharing personal information online. Use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication where available.
Government Initiatives: India has initiatives like the “Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre” (I4C) to combat cybercrime, including phishing.