{"id":3096,"date":"2025-03-27T10:22:13","date_gmt":"2025-03-27T09:22:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/trustlab.upct.es\/2025\/03\/27\/que-es-el-phishing\/"},"modified":"2025-09-19T10:38:44","modified_gmt":"2025-09-19T08:38:44","slug":"what-is-phishing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/trustlab.upct.es\/en\/2025\/03\/27\/what-is-phishing\/","title":{"rendered":"What is Phishing?"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Cybersecurity is a crucial aspect of our digital life. Among the most common threats is phishing<\/strong>, a technique used by cybercriminals to deceive users and obtain personal information, such as access credentials, banking data or confidential information.<\/p>

Phishing is based on impersonating trusted entities<\/strong> (banks, technology companies, government institutions, etc.) to trick victims into falling into the trap.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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How does phishing work? Techniques that cybercriminals use to trick you<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Phishing is based on impersonating trusted entities<\/strong> (banks, technology companies, government institutions, etc.) to trick victims into falling into the trap. Here we explain the most commonly used techniques:<\/p>

  • Fake emails: <\/strong>attackers send fraudulent emails that appear to come from a real entity. They include links to fake pages asking for personal data.<\/li>
  • Cloned web pages<\/strong>: Web sites almost identical to the original ones are created for the victim to enter his or her credentials.<\/li>
  • Fraudulent text messages<\/strong> (smishing): Sent via SMS with dangerous links.<\/li>
  • Vishing phone calls:<\/strong> A supposed representative of a company or bank calls asking for confidential information.<\/li>
  • Malvertising:<\/strong> False advertising on the Internet that redirects to fraudulent websites.<\/li>
  • Impersonation on social networks:<\/strong> Fake accounts that impersonate companies or trustworthy people to defraud.<\/li><\/ul>

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    How to identify a Phishing attempt? Warning signs you should not ignore<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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    Phishing attacks can be difficult to detect, especially when they are well designed. However, there are signs that can help you identify a scam attempt before it’s too late.<\/p>

    One of the first things you should check is the sender of the email<\/strong>. If the message comes from an unknown or slightly altered address (e.g., \u201csoporte@banco-seguro.com\u201d instead of \u201csoporte@bancoseguro.com\u201d), this is a clear red flag. Attackers often use minor variations in addresses to fool unsuspecting users.<\/p>

    Another common clue is the wording of the message<\/strong>. Do you notice grammatical errors or poorly structured sentences? Often, cybercriminals are not fluent in the language and their emails are full of spelling mistakes. If you receive a message from your bank with obvious errors, be immediately suspicious.<\/p>

    Urgency is also a recurring strategy. Phrases such as \u201cYour account will be blocked in 24 hours if you do not update your information<\/em>\u201d seek to generate panic so that you make hasty decisions. If an email or SMS message tries to pressure you into acting without thinking, it’s best to stop and check before clicking on any link.<\/p>

    Speaking of links, here comes another common trick. Before clicking on a suspicious link, hover over it without clicking<\/strong>. This way you will be able to see the actual URL it will take you to. If the link looks strange, too long or does not match the company’s official website, it is best to avoid it.<\/p>

    Finally, unexpected attachments are a huge risk. Receiving a document or compressed file from an unknown sender is reason enough not to open it. Attackers often hide malware in these files to infect your device and steal sensitive information.<\/p>

    If you pay attention to these details, you will significantly reduce the risk of falling for a phishing attack. The key is caution: check, analyze and never act in haste when faced with suspicious messages.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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    Are you interested in cybersecurity? <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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    Are you interested in cybersecurity?<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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