How does phishing typically occur?

Phishing typically occurs via fraudulent emails or messages, which is the primary method used by attackers to deceive individuals and acquire sensitive information. In a phishing attack, scammers send messages that appear to come from legitimate sources, such as banks, online services, or even colleagues, urging recipients to click on links or provide personal information—like passwords or credit card numbers. These fraudulent messages often create a sense of urgency or fear, compelling the recipient to act quickly without verifying the source.

This method is effective because it preys on human trust and can reach a large number of targets simultaneously. Attackers design these emails or messages to look convincing, which further obscures their malicious intent. By enticing users to engage with the content, the attackers can successfully harvest sensitive data or install malicious software on the victim’s device.

Other methods of social engineering, like unsolicited phone calls or direct access to systems, represent different forms of attacks but do not specifically describe how phishing itself occurs. Secure data-sharing services, while they can be targeted in broader cyberattack contexts, do not align with the typical phishing scenario that relies on deception through impersonation and untrusted communications.