Definition

The act of tricking someone into giving personal or confidential information by pretending to be a trustworthy source, often through email.

Example

Many people have fallen victim to phishing scams that ask for their bank details.

Conversation

Have you heard about the latest phishing scams going around?

Yeah, it's crazy how clever they can be!

I know, right? It makes me really cautious about my emails now.

Same here! I always check the sender before clicking on anything.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Definition

To attempt to trick someone into giving personal information, such as passwords or credit card numbers, often through deceptive emails or websites.

Example

Cybercriminals often use phishing to steal sensitive information from unsuspecting users.

Tense Forms

Conversation

I heard someone got their information stolen through phishing emails.

That's really scary! I always check the sender's address before clicking anything.

Yeah, it’s important to be cautious since phishing scams are so common now.

Root Explanation

Phishing is a neologism formed from the word 'fishing' (meaning to catch fish) with the prefix 'ph-' (a variant of 'f-', used to suggest a fraudulent or deceptive action). The term describes the act of attempting to lure individuals into providing sensitive information, akin to fishing for unsuspecting victims.

Memory Tip

Think of 'fishing' for information, where the 'ph-' suggests a deceptive or fraudulent approach to catch unsuspecting individuals.

Visually Confused Words