What is phishing and why is it illegal?

Phishing is when someone other than a company you may have business with, a bank, a credit card company, etc. sends you an email stating that they need you to go to the link provided and put in your personal information so they may either verify that your information is correct or that your account is secure or whatever. Then they use the personal information to steal from you, money or even your identity.



A friend of mine had that happen to her about 2 years ago. What she thought was her bank sent her an email and advised her that she needed to go to their website, the link was provided, and put in her banking info so the new security they added would be enabled on her account. She did what they told her to do and she lost $3000 over night from her checking account. When it was investigated they discovered that someone in Moscow, Russia took the money electronically from her bank account.



Neither your bank nor your credit card companies will ever ask you anything via email. Ever. If you get a phishing email call your bank or cc company immediately and report it. Do not answer the phishing email at all.What is phishing and why is it illegal?
where a website mimicks a legit site like paypal in order to scam you for your informationWhat is phishing and why is it illegal?
phishing is the practice of luring unsuspecting Internet users to a fake Web site by using real-looking email with the real organization's logo, in an attempt to steal passwords, financial or personal information, or introduce a virus attack



it's illegal because it's a form of fraud and theft