What is Phishing and How to Avoid It
Phishing is one of the most common online scams today. It happens when someone pretends to be a trusted person or company to trick you into giving away personal information — like your passwords, credit card details, or bank account numbers.
These scams often come as emails, text messages, or phone calls. They may look real, but they are fake. The goal is to make you click on a bad link, open a harmful file, or share private details.
In today’s world, where we use the internet for almost everything, phishing attacks are a big risk. It’s actually one of the many threats under the larger topic of cybersecurity, which focuses on protecting your data and systems from attacks.
In this blog, you will learn:
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What phishing is and how it works
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The different types of phishing attacks
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Simple tips to protect yourself online
How Does Phishing Work?
Phishing usually follows a simple pattern:
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The attacker sends a message — This could be an email, a text message (SMS), or even a phone call.
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The message looks important or urgent — It may say things like:
"Your account is locked — click here to fix it".
"You won a prize — claim it now".
"Someone tried to log into your account".
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The message has a link or file — If you click the link, it might take you to a fake website. If you enter your details there, the attacker will steal them.
These messages are designed to make you feel scared or rushed so that you act quickly without thinking.
Why is Phishing Dangerous?
Phishing can cause many problems:
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Stolen passwords or bank details
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Money loss
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Hacked email or social media accounts
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Private data getting leaked
Even large companies with strong security have fallen for phishing. That’s why everyone needs to know how it works and how to stay safe.
Common Places Where Phishing Happens
Phishing attacks can happen almost anywhere online:
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Email – The most common way
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Text messages (SMS) – Often called "smishing"
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Phone calls – Known as "vishing"
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Fake websites
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Social media messages
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Pop-up ads or fake online surveys
Being aware of these tricks is the first step to protecting yourself.
Types of Phishing Attacks
Phishing can happen in many ways. Cybercriminals use different methods to trick people. Knowing these types will help you spot the signs and stay safe.
1 Email Phishing
This is the most common type of phishing.
Attackers send emails that look like they’re from a trusted company — like your bank, PayPal, or even your boss. These emails often:
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Ask you to click on a link to "verify your account"
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Say your account will be closed if you don’t act fast
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Have attachments that may contain harmful files
Tip: If you ever receive an email asking for personal information, don’t click anything. Always go to the real website and log in from there.
2. Spear Phishing
This is a targeted attack.
Unlike regular email phishing (which is sent to many people), spear phishing is sent to just one person or a small group. The attacker may:
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Know your name, job, or company
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Pretend to be a co-worker or manager
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Use real information to sound trustworthy
Spear phishing is harder to detect because it feels personal and real
3. Whaling
Whaling is a type of phishing that targets high-level people like:
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CEOs
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Business owners
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Company directors
These attacks often use legal terms, fake invoices, or company messages to trick important people into sending money or sharing private data.
4. Smishing (SMS Phishing)
Smishing is phishing through text messages.
You might get a message like:
These messages often have a link to a fake website where your information can be stolen.
5. Vishing (Voice Phishing)
Vishing happens through phone calls.
The scammer might call pretending to be:
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A bank employee
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A government worker
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A tech support agent
They may ask you to confirm your account details or PIN number. Some may even use fake caller ID to look real.
6. Social Media Phishing
Attackers can also use social media to send fake links or messages. For example:
These links may lead to fake login pages or install malware on your device.
Want to know how phishing fits into the bigger picture? Check out our guide on the different types of cybersecurity every internet user should know.
How to Protect Yourself from Phishing ?
Follow these simple steps to stay safe online:
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Don’t click on suspicious links or pop-ups
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Never share passwords or personal info in messages
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Check the sender’s email or phone number
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Use two-factor authentication (2FA) on all accounts
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Keep your software and apps updated
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Use strong, unique passwords for each account
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Report phishing messages to your email provider or IT team
Real-Life Examples of Phishing
Real examples help people understand how phishing works in everyday life. Here's a simple, short section that adds value without going too deep:
Example 1: Fake Bank Email
A user received an email that looked like it came from their bank. The message said their account had been locked and asked them to click a link to “verify their identity.”
The link led to a fake website that stole their login details. They later found out money had been taken from their account.
What went wrong:
They clicked the link without checking if the email was real.
Example 2: “You’ve Won a Gift Card” Text
Someone got a text message saying they won a $100 gift card. The message had a link that asked for their name, email, and credit card info “to confirm delivery.”
They filled out the form, and their card was charged for things they never bought.
What went wrong:
They trusted a message that sounded too good to be true.
Lesson:
Phishing attacks can look real. Always double-check before clicking, and don’t trust unexpected messages asking for your personal info.
Conclusion
Phishing is one of the most common and dangerous online scams. It can trick anyone — whether you're a student, employee, or business owner. These scams often look real, but they are designed to steal your personal information.
✔️Now that you understand:
You’re in a much better position to protect yourself.
👉 Remember: If something feels off, it probably is. Always think before you click.
Stay alert. Stay safe online.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is phishing in simple words?
Phishing is an online scam where someone pretends to be a trusted company or person to trick you into sharing personal information like passwords or bank details.
2. What are signs of a phishing email?
Common signs include urgent or scary messages, strange email addresses, spelling mistakes, unknown links or attachments, and requests for sensitive information.
3. How can I avoid phishing?
You can avoid phishing by not clicking on unknown links, checking email senders carefully, using two-factor authentication, and keeping your devices up to date.
4. Can antivirus stop phishing?
Antivirus can block some harmful files or links, but it may not catch every phishing email. It’s still important to stay careful and avoid suspicious messages.
5. What should I do if I fall for a phishing scam?
If you fall for a phishing scam, change your passwords, contact your bank, scan your device for threats, and report the scam to your email provider or IT team.
Want to go beyond phishing protection?
Learn Cybersecurity with TekknowAcademy and build real-world skills to protect your personal data, secure online accounts, and stay one step ahead of scammers.
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