How phishing works
Phishing primarily relies on social engineering, a method used by attackers to manipulate individuals into revealing confidential information. Attackers gather personal details from public sources (such as social media) to craft emails that appear legitimate, and victims often receive malicious messages that seem to be sent from familiar contacts or reputable organizations.
Emails containing malicious links or attachments are among the most common types of phishing, and clicking on these links can lead to the installation of malware on the user's device or direct individuals to fake websites designed to steal personal and financial information.
Due to the ease of detecting poorly worded phishing emails, cybercriminals use advanced tools such as chatbots and AI voice generators to avoid detection of their fraudulent attacks, making it difficult for users to distinguish between genuine and fraudulent correspondence.