what are phishing emails

Phishing emails are a type of online scam where attackers deceive people into revealing sensitive information or installing malware such as ransomware. Phishing attacks are often delivered via email spam and attempt to trick individuals into giving away sensitive information or login credentials. These attacks can be "bulk attacks" that are not targeted and are instead sent in bulk to a wide audience, or "spear phishing" attacks that use personalized emails to trick a specific individual or organization into believing they are legitimate. Phishing emails and text messages often tell a story to trick you into clicking on a link or opening an attachment. They often involve pretending to be a trusted entity and creating a sense of urgency, like threatening to close or seize a victims bank or insurance account. To protect yourself from phishing scams, you should not respond to emails or pop-up messages that ask for personal or financial information. It is also important to be aware of the signs of a phishing email, such as an urgent call to action or threats, and to report suspicious messages to your email provider.