Phishing is a type of online scam where criminals try to trick you into giving them sensitive information or money. They may do this by pretending to be a trusted organization or person, or by creating fake websites and emails that look real.

There are many different types of phishing scams, but some of the most common include:

Email Phishing

One of the most common types of phishing is email phishing. This is where scammers send out emails that look like they’re from a legitimate company or organization, in an attempt to get you to click on a link or attachment that will install malware on your computer or device.

Website Phishing

Website phishing is another common type of phishing, where scammers create fake websites that look almost identical to a legitimate website. They then share these fake websites with people, in an attempt to get them to enter their personal information, such as their login details or credit card number.

SMS Phishing

SMS phishing (also known as smishing) is a type of phishing where scammers send text messages that look like they’re from a legitimate company or organization, in an attempt to get you to click on a link or attachment that will install malware on your phone.

Social Media Phishing

Social media phishing is a type of phishing where scammers create fake social media accounts or posts, in an attempt to get people to click on a link or attachment that will install malware on their computer or device.

Phone Call Phishing

Phone call phishing (also known as vishing) is a type of phishing that uses voice messages or phone calls instead of emails. The criminals will call you and pretend to be from a legitimate organization, such as your bank. They may try to trick you into giving them sensitive information or transferring money to them.

How to avoid phishing scams

There are a few things you can do to protect yourself from phishing scams:

Never click on links in emails or text messages from people or organizations you don’t know. If you’re not sure if an email is real, go to the organization’s website directly instead of clicking on the link in the email.

Be cautious of any emails or text messages that contain spelling mistakes or grammatical errors. These are often signs that the message is not from a legitimate source.

Never enter sensitive information, such as your login details or credit card number, on a website that you’re not sure is real. If you’re not sure if a website is legitimate, look for signs that it is secure, such as a URL that starts with “https” and a green padlock icon.

Install cyber security measures , such as antivirus software and a firewall, on your computer or device. These will help to protect you from malware.

Keep your software and operating system up to date, as updates often include security patches that can protect you from new types of attacks.