phishing
Phishing describes fraudulent attempts to obtain sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details by disguising as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication. It is commonly used as an attributive adjective to describe emails, websites, or links designed for cybercrime.
Examples
3 of 5I almost clicked on a phishing link that looked like it was from my bank.
I almost clicked on a phishing link that looked like it was from my bank.
The company has issued a warning regarding a widespread phishing campaign targeting its clients.
The company has issued a warning regarding a widespread phishing campaign targeting its clients.
Check your spam folder; there's probably a ton of phishing junk in there.
Check your spam folder; there's probably a ton of phishing junk in there.
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of it as 'fishing' for 'passwords' using your 'phone' or 'PC'. The 'ph' comes from 'phone/password'.
Quick Quiz
The IT department warned us not to open any suspicious ______ emails that ask for login credentials.
Correct!
The correct answer is: phishing
Examples
I almost clicked on a phishing link that looked like it was from my bank.
everydayI almost clicked on a phishing link that looked like it was from my bank.
The company has issued a warning regarding a widespread phishing campaign targeting its clients.
formalThe company has issued a warning regarding a widespread phishing campaign targeting its clients.
Check your spam folder; there's probably a ton of phishing junk in there.
informalCheck your spam folder; there's probably a ton of phishing junk in there.
Research suggests that phishing remains the most effective method for initial network penetration in cyber warfare.
academicResearch suggests that phishing remains the most effective method for initial network penetration in cyber warfare.
To prevent data breaches, our business policy requires annual phishing awareness training for all staff.
businessTo prevent data breaches, our business policy requires annual phishing awareness training for all staff.
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
fall for a phishing scam
fall for a phishing scam
phishing attempt
phishing attempt
report a phishing email
report a phishing email
Often Confused With
Fishing is the sport or business of catching fish in water, while phishing is a cybercrime.
Spoofing refers to disguising a communication's origin, whereas phishing is the broader attempt to steal data using such disguises.
Usage Notes
The word is almost always used in the context of IT security. While it functions as a noun (the act), it is frequently used as an adjective to modify nouns like 'email', 'scam', or 'link'.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly spell it as 'fishing' because the pronunciation is identical. Remember that in the context of the internet, it starts with 'ph'.
Memory Tip
Think of it as 'fishing' for 'passwords' using your 'phone' or 'PC'. The 'ph' comes from 'phone/password'.
Word Origin
Coined in the mid-1990s as a variant of 'fishing', influenced by the word 'phreaking' (a term for hacking telecommunication systems).
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
Phishing is a global digital threat that has led many banks and services to include 'We will never ask for your password' disclaimers in their official communications.
Quick Quiz
The IT department warned us not to open any suspicious ______ emails that ask for login credentials.
Correct!
The correct answer is: phishing
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