Which term describes the fraudulent practice of sending email claiming to be from reputable companies in order to induce people to reveal personal information?

• A. Phishing
• B. Identity theft
• C. Ransomware
• D. Hacking

Answer: (A)

Phishing is a form of social engineering that uses email to impersonate a trusted company and persuade you to disclose personal information. These messages often look legitimate, spoof the sender, and push you to act quickly or provide passwords or financial details, typically via a link or reply. The aim is to harvest data attackers can misuse. Other terms describe different crimes: identity theft is using someone’s information, ransomware is malware that locks files for payment, and hacking is the broader act of breaking into systems. Phishing specifically targets you through deceptive email as the entry point.