What is the defining characteristic of spoofing?

The defining characteristic of spoofing is that it involves creating a false impression of a legitimate site. Spoofing typically manifests in various forms, such as phishing attacks, where attackers mimic trusted websites to deceive users into revealing sensitive information, like passwords or credit card details. This deceptive practice exploits users' trust in genuine entities by masquerading as them, thus enabling the attacker to carry out fraudulent activities.

In the context of network security, recognizing spoofing is critical because it targets the user's perception of security, making it essential to implement strategies such as secure browsing habits and user education about recognizing fake websites. This focus on the legitimacy of the site being impersonated is what clearly defines spoofing in cybersecurity circles.