What does the term 'phishing' refer to in cybersecurity?

In cybersecurity, the term 'phishing' refers to a technique designed to lure individuals into providing sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, credit card details, or other personal information. Attackers often use deceptive emails or websites that closely resemble legitimate communications to trick users into entering their sensitive data. This method exploits human psychology, especially traits like trust and curiosity, making it a prevalent vector for identity theft and other cybercrimes.

Phishing attacks can take various forms, including email phishing, spear phishing (targeted at specific individuals), and whaling (targeting high-profile individuals), but all share the common goal of manipulating the victim into divulging confidential information. Understanding phishing is crucial for individuals and organizations to create effective security awareness training and to implement measures that can mitigate the risk of such attacks.