phishers
Deceptive link senders
Phishers are people who conduct phishing attacks—fraudulent attempts to steal sensitive information by impersonating legitimate entities.
They send deceptive emails, texts, or messages designed to trick recipients into revealing passwords, credit card numbers, or personal data: The phishers posed as bank representatives to harvest login credentials.
The spelling plays on "fishers," evoking the image of casting lures to catch victims.
People who defraud others
- fraudstersPeople who deceive for gain
- con artistsPeople who cheat others
- swindlersDeceivers who steal through trickery
- impostorsThose falsely claiming identity
grifters · hackers · cybercriminals · identity thieves · hoaxers · tricksters · cheats · racketeers
Fraudulent imitation
- social engineeringManipulating people for information
- pretextingDeceptive identity manipulation
- baitLure for prey
- lureThing that tempts
impersonation · fake websites · typosquatting · whaling · vishing · pharming · credential theft
Unauthorized computer system intruders
- malwareHarmful computer programs
- data breachUnauthorized access to protected information
- keyloggerSoftware recording typed input
- ransomwareHostage-taking code
spyware · botnet · cyber attack · network security · firewall · antivirus · encryption · cybersecurity
Those who suffer harm
- marksVisible signs or grades
- credentialsEvidence of qualification or identity
- passwordsSecret authentication strings
- bank accountsFinancial institution holdings
credit cards · personal information · social security numbers · financial data · corporate secrets · gullibility · trust · naivety
Deceptive act or costume party
- guiseExternal manner shown
- pretenseDeceptive outward show
- trickeryDeliberate deception or fraud
- subterfugeDeliberate deception to conceal
duplicity · artifice · hoax · decoy · feint · imposture · misdirection · false pretenses
scammers
People who defraud others
- fraudstersPeople who deceive for gain
- con artistsPeople who cheat others
- swindlersDeceivers who steal through trickery
impostors · grifters · hackers · cybercriminals · identity thieves · hoaxers · tricksters · cheats · racketeers · black hats
spoofing
Fraudulent imitation
- social engineeringManipulating people for information
- pretextingDeceptive identity manipulation
- baitLure for prey
lure · impersonation · fake websites · typosquatting · whaling · vishing · pharming · credential theft
hackers
Unauthorized computer system intruders
- malwareHarmful computer programs
- data breachUnauthorized access to protected information
- keyloggerSoftware recording typed input
ransomware · spyware · botnet · cyber attack · network security · firewall · antivirus · encryption · cybersecurity · virus
victims
Those who suffer harm
- marksVisible signs or grades
- credentialsEvidence of qualification or identity
- passwordsSecret authentication strings
bank accounts · credit cards · personal information · social security numbers · financial data · corporate secrets · gullibility · trust · naivety
masquerade
Deceptive act or costume party
subterfuge · duplicity · artifice · hoax · decoy · feint · imposture · misdirection · false pretenses · confidence trick