Phishing is type of electronic fraud that uses social engineering. Phishers pretend to be a trustworthy party (such as a bank) in attempt to steal sensitive information (such as passwords, bank account numbers, or credit card details). A Phishing attack is carried out electronically -- commonly through email or instant messaging, but it can also occur through voice phone calls, text messages, or other electronic communication methods. Once a phisher has collected this sensitive information, it can be used t
Phishing and identity theft are problems faced by millions of people every day. Some people have begun to question how they use the Internet: "Is it safe to use my credit card on the Internet?" ... "Does my bank really want me to change my password?" Others fall victim to these scams without realization.
Jakobsson and Myers have completed their comprehensive book, published in November 2006: Phishing and Countermeasures: Understanding the Increasing Problem of Electronic Identity Theft . (Wiley, Nov 2006).