Define "phishing."

Phishing is defined as a fraudulent attempt to obtain sensitive information by pretending to be a trustworthy entity. This practice often involves attackers masquerading as legitimate organizations, such as banks or popular online services, to trick individuals into providing personal data, such as passwords, credit card numbers, or social security numbers.

The effectiveness of phishing relies heavily on psychological manipulation, which can include creating a sense of urgency, fear, or excitement to prompt the target to act quickly without properly assessing the situation. Phishing attacks can be delivered in various forms, including emails, social media messages, or deceptive websites that mimic legitimate ones.

In contrast, legitimate requests for user credentials would be made through secure and authentic channels, not through impersonation. Encrypting data for security is a protective measure that does not involve deception but rather enhances security. Lastly, an educational initiative about online safety aims to raise awareness and inform users about potential threats, rather than employing deceitful tactics to extract sensitive information. Thus, the accurate definition of phishing centers around its deceptive nature and intent to exploit trust.