As of early 2026, phishing remains one of the most pervasive cyber threats, with over 1.2 million global attacks recorded in the first quarter of 2025 alone. The Evolution of Phishing
Phishing has evolved from simple email scams into highly organized, multi-channel operations. phishing
The first recorded phishing attacks targeted America Online (AOL) users. Attackers used instant messages and emails to impersonate staff, tricking users into providing credentials to gain free internet access. As of early 2026, phishing remains one of
As online shopping grew, scammers shifted to impersonating sites like PayPal and eBay. Attackers used instant messages and emails to impersonate
Modern attackers use Generative AI to create flawless, error-free lures. AI-generated emails reportedly achieve a 78% open rate, compared to just 12% for human-generated phishing. Common Types of Phishing
Today's attackers use various "hooks" to target different victims: Phishing | Cyber.gov.au