phishing
|phish-ing|
/ˈfɪʃɪŋ/
(phish)
fraudulent information gathering
Etymology
'phishing' originates from the word 'fishing,' where 'ph-' is a playful alteration, and 'fishing' meant 'to catch fish.'
'phishing' changed from the concept of 'fishing' for information and eventually became the modern term 'phishing' in the context of cybercrime.
Initially, it meant 'to fish for information,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'fraudulent information gathering.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the fraudulent practice of sending emails purporting to be from reputable companies to induce individuals to reveal personal information, such as passwords and credit card numbers.
Phishing attacks have become increasingly sophisticated.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:45