Which of the following is a common feature of phishing attacks?

Phishing attacks commonly involve a request for personal information from the victim, which is fundamental to their malicious intent. In these attacks, the perpetrator typically poses as a trustworthy entity, such as a bank, a government agency, or a well-known company, to deceive the target into revealing sensitive data like usernames, passwords, credit card information, or social security numbers. This tactic exploits human psychology by instilling a sense of urgency or fear that compels potential victims to act quickly without thoroughly verifying the source of the request.

The effectiveness of phishing relies heavily on this manipulation of trust and the subsequent solicitation of personal information. These requests may come via deceptive emails, fake websites, or direct messages—each engineered to look legitimate and prompt the recipient to provide their details. Recognizing this characteristic is crucial for individuals to identify and protect themselves from such attacks.