phishing

/ (ˈfɪʃɪŋ) /

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Definition of phishing

noun

the practice of using fraudulent e-mails and copies of legitimate websites to extract financial data from computer users for purposes of identity theft

QUIZ

TAKE JOY IN ACING THIS QUIZ ON “PRIDE” SYNONYMS

Hold your head up high as you embark on this quiz that explores some of the synonyms and meanings of “pride.”

Question 1 of 7

What does "dignity" mean?

showing self-respect

treating others with kindness

acting selfishly

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Word Origin for phishing

C21: from fishing in the sense of catching the unwary by offering bait; computer-hacker slang often replaces f with ph

Words nearby phishing

phimotic, Phineas, Phineus, phi-phenomenon, phish, phishing, Phitsanulok, phiz, Ph.L., phlebarteriectasia, phlebectasia

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

How to use phishing in a sentence

Hitt said it appears the attack began as a phishing attempt and no data appears to have been stolen, said party spokesman Alec Zimmerman.
Wisconsin Republican Party says hackers stole $2.3 million|Verne Kopytoff|October 29, 2020|Fortune
Cyber criminals are not just doing the traditional phishing expeditions, they’re using Covid as a lure.
Cybersecurity company McAfee shares fall in return to market|Verne Kopytoff|October 22, 2020|Fortune
Be aware of phishing scams, which have become even more sophisticated in 2020 as fraudsters now have access to more personal information about their victims, mostly taken from social media.
Safety Tips for Online Dating in 2020|LGBTQ-Editor|October 18, 2020|No Straight News
The hackers used voice phishing, a social engineering technique that involves tricking someone on the phone to hand over passwords or access to internal systems.
After breach, Twitter hires a new cybersecurity chief|Zack Whittaker|September 30, 2020|TechCrunch

Step one—steal an executive’s email password through phishing.
Don’t click that Zoom invitation!|rhhackettfortune|August 19, 2020|Fortune
I wrote a piece in 2011 that was used in what appeared to be an Iranian spear phishing attack.
Were the Chinese the ‘State-Sponsored Attackers’ Trying to Hack Me?|Eli Lake|February 20, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The Chinese also are known for something called “spear phishing.”
Were the Chinese the ‘State-Sponsored Attackers’ Trying to Hack Me?|Eli Lake|February 20, 2013|DAILY BEAST
This technique, known as “spear phishing,” is a favored tactic of organized crime.
Sorry, Iran. I Didn’t Mean to Invade You|Eli Lake|July 17, 2012|DAILY BEAST
China was recently accused of using spear phishing to spy on activists associated with the Dalai Lama.
Sorry, Iran. I Didn’t Mean to Invade You|Eli Lake|July 17, 2012|DAILY BEAST
One challenge is that this isn't a virus or a hacker attack—it's just a phishing scam, an attempt to trick people.
Is Your Mac Safe?|Dan Lyons|June 21, 2011|DAILY BEAST