What does the term 'phishing' refer to in the context of information security?

The term 'phishing' in the context of information security specifically refers to a method employed by cybercriminals to trick individuals into providing sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, or credit card numbers, by disguising themselves as a trustworthy entity in electronic communications. This commonly occurs through fake emails that appear legitimate, often imitating well-known brands or institutions. The objective is to deceive the target into clicking on malicious links or attachments that lead to fraudulent websites where they may unwittingly submit their personal information.

The other options—data encryption, gathering information from public sources, and data interception techniques—do not align with the definition of phishing. Data encryption pertains to converting information into a coded format to protect it, gathering information from public sources does not involve deception and is generally aligned with legitimate practices, and data interception techniques typically refer to unauthorized monitoring of data in transit rather than the specific act of deception that characterizes phishing. This distinction highlights why the correct understanding of phishing focuses on the fraudulent nature of communication designed to elicit confidential information from individuals.