What are Phishing Links ? How people lose their hard earned money in few clicks

Phishing scams are a prevalent form of cybercrime where attackers trick individuals into revealing sensitive information like passwords or credit card details by posing as legitimate entities. These scams typically involve malicious links sent via email, text messages, or social media, directing victims to fraudulent websites that closely mimic trusted sites. Once on these fake sites, victims are asked to input personal information or download harmful software. According to the FBI’s 2022 Internet Crime Report, phishing accounted for over 323,000 complaints in the U.S., leading to losses of over $52 million. Globally, phishing attacks, including spear-phishing and clone-phishing, have caused trillions in damages, targeting both individuals and organizations. One of the most famous phishing incidents involved the 2016 breach of John Podesta’s email, which influenced the U.S. presidential election. In 2019, Toyota Boshoku Corporation lost $37 million to a phishing scam. To recognize phishing links, users should be wary of suspicious URLs, urgent language, and unexpected attachments. Protecting against these scams involves verifying the source of communications, using two-factor authentication, keeping software updated, and educating oneself on the latest phishing tactics. Awareness and caution are essential to prevent falling victim to phishing, which continues to evolve in sophistication.