What is phishing and how to avoid it?

Phishing is a type of cyberattack where criminals try to trick people into giving away sensitive information, such as passwords or credit card numbers.

Phishing attacks often appear as fake emails, messages, or websites that look legitimate. For example, a phishing email may pretend to be from a bank and ask you to “verify your account.” When users click the link, they are taken to a fake website that steals their information.

Common signs of phishing include:

• Urgent or threatening language
  
  

• Suspicious email addresses
  
  

• Spelling or grammar mistakes
  
  

• Links that do not match official websites
  
  

To avoid phishing:

• Do not click suspicious links
  
  

• Check the sender’s email address carefully
  
  

• Type website addresses manually instead of clicking links
  
  

• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)
  
  

• Keep software updated
  
  

Phishing attacks are one of the most common cybersecurity threats because they rely on human mistakes rather than technical vulnerabilities.

In summary, phishing is a deceptive attack designed to steal sensitive information, but it can be avoided by staying alert and verifying sources carefully.