Define phishing.

Phishing is characterized as a type of cyberattack in which attackers impersonate legitimate entities, such as reputable organizations or trusted individuals, to deceive victims into revealing sensitive information. This information can include usernames, passwords, credit card numbers, and other personal details. The attackers often use emails, fake websites, or social media to carry out these schemes, making it appear as though the communication is legitimate.

This manipulation preys on the trust that individuals have for well-known brands or contacts, leading them to unknowingly provide the information that the attackers seek. Understanding phishing is crucial in cybersecurity because it remains one of the most common and effective tactics that cybercriminals use to compromise personal and organizational security.

The other choices represent different types of security threats that do not align with the specific tactics and techniques employed in phishing attacks.