phishing

/ ˈfɪʃɪŋ /

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of phishing¹

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

Example Sentences

But he said AI "isn't currently creating entirely new crimewaves" and "a lot of ransomware intrusions still happen thanks to tried-and-tested tricks like sending phishing emails and hunting for software vulnerabilities".

From BBC

The tone was so strange and disrespectful, hinting that she might be punished if she didn’t respond by confirming her email address, that she assumed it was a phishing attempt.

From Salon

This month, the FBI and US Justice Department extradited and arrested three Ghanaian nationals alleged to be the masterminds of a $100m fraud scheme, which involved romance scams and phishing attacks.

From BBC

Unlike traditional phishing scams such as an unwanted text or call that requires your engagement, this invitation automatically appears on your calendar without you approving or denying it.

From Los Angeles Times

However, cybersecurity experts have warned the breached data could be used to target unsuspecting customers with convincing personal emails in what's known as a spear phishing attack.

From BBC