What does phishing or pre-texting involve?

Phishing or pre-texting involves illegally obtaining personal information through deceit. This practice typically entails an individual or organization disguising themselves as someone trustworthy to trick the target into providing sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, or financial details. This method exploits social engineering tactics, often presenting scenarios that are designed to instill urgency or fear, prompting the victim to divulge their private data.

The focus on deceit differentiates phishing and pre-texting from other approaches to data collection, which may involve transparency or legality. For example, while other options might suggest the use of legal methods or public records to obtain information, phishing relies on manipulation and misrepresentation, making it a dishonest tactic for data acquisition.