What is phishing?

• A. A method for securing networks
• B. A type of firewall configuration
• C. A cyber attack that tricks individuals into providing sensitive information
• D. A software update process

Answer: (C)

Phishing is a type of cyber attack that involves tricking individuals into providing sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details. This is typically achieved through deceptive emails or websites that appear legitimate but are, in fact, fraudulent. Attackers often create a sense of urgency or use familiar branding to lower the targets' defenses, making them more likely to disclose their personal information.

In contrast, other options describe different concepts. Securing networks involves various methods to protect networked systems from attacks, which is unrelated to the act of phishing itself. A type of firewall configuration refers to settings designed to filter incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules, rather than the manipulation of individual users to gain sensitive data. Finally, the software update process is a critical aspect of maintaining system security and functionality by ensuring that software is kept current and secure, but it does not involve deception for information extraction.