What is Phishing?
Phishing is a prevalent form of cyberattack where criminals use deceptive communications to gain your trust and access sensitive information. They leverage social engineering techniques, often creating a sense of urgency to bypass your critical thinking.
These attacks can occur via email, text messages (smishing), or even voice calls (vishing). The goal is to trick you into revealing passwords, credit card numbers, or other personal data.
Think Critically to Protect Yourself
Always be cautious when you receive unexpected or suspicious communications. Phishers want you to react impulsively, so they often create a sense of panic or urgency.
Be wary of messages implying urgency or requesting unusual actions, especially from known contacts. If something seems off, verify the communication through an alternate channel. For instance, call your manager directly instead of responding to a potentially compromised email.
“Phishing attacks are the most common and successful cyber threats, making education and vigilance crucial.
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Interactive Resources
Engage with these resources to enhance your protection:
Phishing Quiz
Test your knowledge with our interactive quiz to identify phishing attempts.
Report Phishing
Learn how to report phishing attempts and protect yourself.
Government Resources for Protection
Utilize these government resources to enhance your phishing awareness and protection:
CISA’s Phishing Infographic: Offers a fundamental understanding of phishing and how to identify and avoid attacks. View the infographic for essential protection tips.
Secret Service’s Guide: This guide targets phishing, especially during online shopping, including 'package tracking' and 'fraud alert' scams. It offers advice for general prevention and mitigation.
CISA’s Recognize and Report Phishing Guide: This resource educates you on recognizing phishing attempts and offers tips on resisting and deleting them. Includes a video tutorial.