phish
Deceive for passwords
To phish is to attempt fraud by impersonating a legitimate entity—typically through fake emails, websites, or messages designed to trick people into revealing passwords, credit card numbers, or other sensitive information: I almost got phished by an email that looked exactly like my bank's.
The spelling distinguishes it from legitimate fishing while suggesting the same patient, lure-based approach to catching victims. (Capitalized Phish is the rock band.)
Hunting large sea mammals
- vishingVoice-based identity theft
- emailDigital written communication
- spoofingFraudulent imitation
- baitingDeliberately trying to provoke
pretexting · social engineering · impersonation · spam · pharming
Dishonest money-making scheme
spoof · impersonate · deceive · trick · ruse · ploy · masquerade · pretense
Evidence of qualification or identity
- passwordAuthentication string
- loginAuthentication act or screen
- accountRecord of dealings
- credit cardBorrowed-funds payment tool
personal data · identity · PIN · verification · username · tax return · payroll
Easily deceived
- unsuspectingNot anticipating danger
- targetedChosen for specific attention
- compromisedMade vulnerable to harm
- breachedBroke past a barrier
identity theft · data breach · account takeover · financial loss · scammed · exploited
Software blocking unwanted email
whaling
Hunting large sea mammals
baiting · pretexting · social engineering · impersonation · spam · pharming
scam
Dishonest money-making scheme
hook · spoof · impersonate · deceive · trick · ruse · ploy · masquerade · pretense · guile
credentials
Evidence of qualification or identity
credit card · personal data · identity · PIN · verification · username · tax return · payroll
gullible
Easily deceived
- unsuspectingNot anticipating danger
- targetedChosen for specific attention
- compromisedMade vulnerable to harm
breached · identity theft · data breach · account takeover · financial loss · scammed · exploited
spam filter
Software blocking unwanted email
phishauthenticate
Confirm as genuine
verify · official correspondence · validate · trusted source · secure channel
- phishing scamDigital identity theft ruse
- phishing attackDeceptive attempt to steal credentials
- phishing callFraudulent call seeking credentials
- phishing schemesDeceptive identity theft tactics
- spear phishingPersonalized digital deception attack
- phishing protectionSafeguards against fraudulent requests