Which of the following cybercrimes involves deceiving individuals into revealing sensitive information?

Correct option is A

Correct Answer: (a) Phishing

Explanation:
Phishing is a type of cybercrime where individuals are deceived into revealing sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, credit card details, or other personal data. Cybercriminals typically achieve this by impersonating a trusted entity through fake emails, websites, or messages that appear legitimate.

Phishing attacks exploit human trust and are one of the most common forms of cybercrime aimed at financial fraud or identity theft.

Knowledge Booster:
● Phishing emails often contain links or attachments designed to capture sensitive information or install malicious software.
● Common targets include bank account details, social media accounts, and corporate credentials.
● Variants of phishing include:

• Spear phishing: Targeted attacks on specific individuals or organizations.
• Whaling: Focused on high-profile individuals like executives.
• Vishing: Voice-based phishing over phone calls.
• Smishing: Phishing via SMS.
  ● Phishing can be mitigated by awareness, recognizing suspicious communications, and using multi-factor authentication (MFA).

Additional Information:
● Malware (Option b): Refers to malicious software that disrupts or damages systems but does not involve direct deception for personal information.
● Hacking (Option c): Involves unauthorized access to systems, networks, or data without necessarily deceiving users.
● Cyberbullying (Option d): Refers to online harassment or abuse, not related to stealing sensitive information.