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Security Operations · Foundational

Phishing

A social engineering attack using fraudulent messages, typically email, to steal credentials, deliver malware or induce payments.

Definition

Phishing messages impersonate trusted entities and lure victims to click links, open attachments or reply with information. Variants include spear phishing, whaling, vishing, smishing and QR-code phishing. Controls include email filtering, SPF/DKIM/DMARC, link rewriting, MFA and user reporting.

Example

An email that looks like a Microsoft 365 password-expiry notice linking to a fake login page.

Exam tip

Phishing is the most common initial access vector in breach reports; layered defenses plus training is the expected answer.

Don't confuse it with

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