Phishing attacks are a type of cybercrime where attackers impersonate legitimate organizations to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information, such as passwords or credit card numbers. These attacks often occur through emails, messages, or fake websites that appear authentic, making it difficult for victims to recognize the deception. To protect against phishing, individuals should be cautious when clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources. It's essential to verify the sender's identity and look for signs of suspicious activity, such as poor grammar or unusual requests, to avoid falling victim to these scams.