What is the main difference between phishing and vishing?

The main difference between phishing and vishing lies in the medium through which the attack is carried out. Phishing generally refers to the practice of using fraudulent emails to deceive individuals into divulging sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, and credit card numbers. Attackers craft these emails to look legitimate, often mimicking trusted organizations to encourage victims to click on malicious links or provide personal information.

On the other hand, vishing is a form of phishing that occurs over the phone, typically involving voice calls. In vishing attacks, scammers impersonate legitimate companies or banks, attempting to extract confidential information directly from the victim during the conversation. This method exploits trust and urgency to manipulate individuals into providing sensitive data through spoken dialogue rather than written communication.

Understanding the channels each type of attack uses is crucial for identifying potential threats and practicing safe cybersecurity measures. In this context, the correct answer emphasizes that phishing utilizes email while vishing relies on voice calls to perpetrate fraud.