What term describes the act of tricking users into providing personal information via deceptive emails?

The term that describes the act of tricking users into providing personal information via deceptive emails is known as phishing. This practice involves cybercriminals sending emails that appear to be from legitimate sources, such as banks or well-known companies, to lure individuals into revealing sensitive data like passwords, credit card numbers, or other personal information. Phishing attacks rely on social engineering techniques to create a sense of urgency or trust, encouraging victims to take the bait.

In contrast, hacking generally refers to unauthorized access to computer systems or networks, rather than the manipulation of individuals to disclose information. Identity theft is the act of stealing someone's personal information for fraudulent use, which may be a result of successful phishing but is not the act itself. Data mining involves analyzing large sets of data to find patterns and insights, which is unrelated to the deceptive practices involved in phishing. Understanding the specific nature of these terms is essential in recognizing different types of cyber threats and protecting oneself from them.