What is the term for a fraudulent practice aimed to extract information through deceptive emails or messages?

Phishing is the term used to describe a fraudulent practice that seeks to deceive individuals into providing sensitive information, such as passwords or credit card numbers, by posing as a trustworthy entity in electronic communications. Typically, attackers send emails or messages that appear to be from legitimate organizations, such as banks or online services, often including links to counterfeit websites that mimic the genuine sites.

The effectiveness of phishing lies in its ability to exploit human psychology, prompting individuals to act quickly without scrutinizing the message's authenticity. By recognizing the familiar logos, language, and formats of legitimate communications, targets may inadvertently disclose their personal information, which the attackers can then use for identity theft, financial fraud, or other harmful purposes.

Understanding phishing is crucial in cybersecurity education, as it emphasizes the importance of vigilance and skepticism when handling electronic correspondence, especially when requests for sensitive information are made.