What is often the first step in a phishing attack?

The first step in a phishing attack typically involves sending a seemingly legitimate email to the target. This email is designed to appear trustworthy, often mimicking communications from reputable organizations or individuals that the victim may recognize. The purpose of this email is to trick the recipient into taking a specific action, such as clicking a link or downloading an attachment. This initial communication is crucial as it lays the groundwork for the attack by gaining the victim’s trust.

Once the victim engages with the email content, they may be directed to a fake website or prompted to reveal sensitive information, ultimately leading to the attacker’s goal. The other options involve subsequent actions that may take place after the phishing email has been successfully delivered, but they do not typically represent the initiation of the phishing attack itself.