Phishing Meaning and Definition
Phishing
Pronunciation
/ˈfɪʃɪŋ/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
The act of attempting to obtain confidential or sensitive information from an individual by masquerading as a trustworthy entity, often through email, phone, or text message.
Examples
- Malicious hackers are engaging in phishing attacks to steal user passwords.
- The company has implemented robust security measures to prevent phishing attempts.
Synonyms
- Spamming
- Phrauding
Antonyms
- Authentic
- Legitimate
Etymology
The term “phishing” originated in the mid-1990s, likely as a corruption of the word “fishing,” as attackers seek to “catch” and acquire sensitive information.
Usage Notes
Rarely used as a verb, but often used as a noun to describe the act of phishing.
Cultural References
Commonly referenced in popular media, such as films and television shows, often depicted as a cybersecurity threat.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
“Phishing for compliments” is a common idiom, though unrelated to cybersecurity threats.
Related Words or Phrases
- Malware
- Ransomware
- Data breach
Collocations
- Phishing scams
- Phishing attack
- Phishing email
Frequency of Use
Phishing has become a widespread and frequent term in modern language, often used to describe cyber threats and security concerns.
Common Misspellings
Phisning, Phishingg, Phishin