TechnologyAugust 17, 2026
phishing
FISH-ing
Definition
The fraudulent practice of sending emails or other digital messages that appear to come from reputable sources in order to induce individuals to reveal personal information, such as passwords or credit card numbers.
Etymology
The word is a variation of 'fishing' for information, likely influenced by the 'ph' spelling pattern commonly used in early hacker culture to denote 'phone phreaking' or illicit digital activities.
In the news
The article uses the term to describe deceptive emails posing as MyChart communications intended to trick ECU Health patients into providing sensitive personal or financial data.
ECU Health warns MyChart phishing emails could steal personal and financial information
Read the full article ↗WCTI