What is a phishing scam designed to do?

A phishing scam is specifically designed to deceive individuals into revealing sensitive personal information, such as usernames, passwords, credit card numbers, and other confidential details. This is typically accomplished through deceptive emails, messages, or websites that appear to be from trusted sources. The intent is to exploit users’ trust, leading them to provide their information willingly, often under the guise of a legitimate request.

While unsolicited emails can be a method of solicitation (often linked to phishing) and malware installation can occur during various cyber attacks, the core purpose of a phishing scam centers around tricking users into disclosing their personal information. Therefore, when considering the definition and intent behind phishing scams, the correct understanding aligns with the objective of securing sensitive data through manipulation rather than through direct threats like malware or advertising.