[Cyber Security Terms](/glossary) Phishing [Blog](/blog)[Breaches](/breaches)[Resources](/resources)[News](/news) [Cyber Security Terms](/glossary) # Phishing ##### [](#) updated Jun 25, 2025 ###### Contents ## Phishing [Phishing attacks](https://www.upguard.com/blog/phishing) use [social engineering](https://www.upguard.com/blog/social-engineering) tactics to target specific individuals and organizations in an attempt to steal sensitive data like personal information, payment card numbers, or confidential business data. Cybercriminals typically use tactics to trick users into clicking an infected URL or opening corrupted files that lead to [malware](https://www.upguard.com/blog/malware) or [ransomware](https://www.upguard.com/blog/ransomware) downloads. ## Key takeaways * Almost all phishing attacks involve human error, requiring unsuspecting individuals to accidentally click on malicious links or infected files. * Email phishing attacks make up over 95% of all phishing attacks. * Common signs of a phishing attack include an unreasonable sense of urgency, request for personal data, spelling or grammar errors, once-in-a-lifetime offers, or threats. * Phishing is the #1 cybersecurity threat in the world. * ###### Reviewed by No items found. ###### Author ##### [](#) ###### Reviewed by No items found. ###### Join 27,000+ cybersecurity newsletter subscribers ## Read more about Phishing Learn more about Phishing and the latest issues in cybersecurity. [UpGuard](/blog/types-of-phishing-attacks) [19 Most Common Types of Phishing Attacks in 2026](/blog/types-of-phishing-attacks) #### [19 Most Common Types of Phishing Attacks in 2026](/blog/types-of-phishing-attacks) Learn the most commonly used phishing attacks and how to identify them. [](/team/kyle-chin) [Kyle Chin](#) December 28, 2025 [View all blog posts](/blog) ## See UpGuard In Action Book a free, personalized onboarding call with one of our cybersecurity experts. [Contact sales](/demo) [Free demo](/demo) ## More from our blog Learn more about the latest issues in cybersecurity. [UpGuard](/blog/find-out-if-youre-exposed-on-the-dark-web) [Find Out if You're Exposed on the Dark Web](/blog/find-out-if-youre-exposed-on-the-dark-web) #### [Find Out if You're Exposed on the Dark Web](/blog/find-out-if-youre-exposed-on-the-dark-web) Answer 5 quick questions to predict what a dark web scan will find about your company. Then run the free scan to see your real exposure. [](/team/lance-turner) [Lance Turner](#) October 14, 2026 [UpGuard](/blog/upguard-named-leader-in-idc-marketscape) [The Evidence Is In: UpGuard Named a Leader in the IDC MarketScape for Worldwide Third-Party Risk Management](/blog/upguard-named-leader-in-idc-marketscape) #### [The Evidence Is In: UpGuard Named a Leader in the IDC MarketScape for Worldwide Third-Party Risk Management](/blog/upguard-named-leader-in-idc-marketscape) UpGuard has been named a Leader in the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Third-Party Risk Management Services 2026 Vendor Assessment. Find out why. [](/team/cassy-van-eeden) [Cassy van Eeden](#) October 18, 2026 [UpGuard](/blog/your-first-dark-web-scan-report-explained) [Your First Dark Web Scan Report, Explained](/blog/your-first-dark-web-scan-report-explained) #### [Your First Dark Web Scan Report, Explained](/blog/your-first-dark-web-scan-report-explained) You scanned your domain. What do the results mean? [](/team/lance-turner) [Lance Turner](#) October 11, 2026 [UpGuard](/blog/ai-evidence-analysis-tools-for-tprm) [We Researched Four AI Evidence Analysis Tools for TPRM. Here’s What We Found.](/blog/ai-evidence-analysis-tools-for-tprm) #### [We Researched Four AI Evidence Analysis Tools for TPRM. Here’s What We Found.](/blog/ai-evidence-analysis-tools-for-tprm) We researched four AI evidence-parsing tools against four criteria that security teams often overlook. None nailed all four. [](/team/cassy-van-eeden) [Cassy van Eeden](#) September 29, 2026 [UpGuard](/blog/cybersecurity-horror-stories-2026) [12 Cybersecurity Horror Stories of 2026 (No Costume Required)](/blog/cybersecurity-horror-stories-2026) #### [12 Cybersecurity Horror Stories of 2026 (No Costume Required)](/blog/cybersecurity-horror-stories-2026) A warning ignored once becomes a headline. Read more about these 12 real 2026 cybersecurity incidents, and the sign each one gave before it made the news. [](/team/revashni-moodley) [Revashni Moodley](#) October 14, 2026 [UpGuard](/blog/good-security-rating-your-dark-web-exposure-says-otherwise) [Good Security Rating? Your Dark Web Exposure Says Otherwise](/blog/good-security-rating-your-dark-web-exposure-says-otherwise) #### [Good Security Rating? Your Dark Web Exposure Says Otherwise](/blog/good-security-rating-your-dark-web-exposure-says-otherwise) Scan your domain to see just how exposed you are on the Dark Web. [](/team/lance-turner) [Lance Turner](#) October 11, 2026 [View all blog posts](/blog) ### Sign up for our newsletter UpGuard's monthly newsletter cuts through the noise and brings you what matters most: our breaking research, in-depth analysis of emerging threats, and actionable strategic insights. ##### Free instant security score ## How secure is your organization? 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