Phishing is a form of cybercrime where criminals impersonate legitimate institutions to trick individuals into providing sensitive personal information. There are different types of phishing scams, such as spear phishing which targets specific individuals. While phishing involves stealing information, spoofing tricks users into downloading malware. To prevent phishing, people should avoid giving out private financial details in response to unsolicited emails and messages, regularly monitor bank accounts, and use antivirus software to protect devices.