Final answer:
A phishing email is a deceptive message designed to trick recipients into taking certain actions, like sharing personal information. It often includes a compelling but false narrative. Universities may use simulated phishing campaigns to educate staff on how to recognize such emails.
Step-by-step explanation:
A phishing email is a false email designed to mislead recipients by telling a compelling, often fabricated story, which usually encourages the recipient to take some action, such as forwarding the message to others or entering personal information. These emails play on human psychology and often use heuristics, such as a sense of urgency or authority, to bypass rational thought processes and prompt quick action. For example, the infamous scam involving the so-called 'Nigerian prince' is a type of phishing attempt that promises significant financial reward in exchange for assistance with transferring funds.
Institutions like universities sometimes send out fake phishing emails to staff as a form of training to cultivate a critical approach to all emails received. This can help in developing the capability to distinguish between legitimate emails and phishing attempts. The practice is a form of proactive defense against the risks posed by cyber threats and helps protect sensitive information and assets.
Understanding the nature of these threats is vital in today's digital age, where fake news stories and 'broken myths' can spread misinformation rapidly. Awareness and education on these matters are key tools in ensuring personal and organizational cybersecurity.