What type of attack does phishing utilize?

Phishing utilizes fraudulent impersonation through electronic means, which is why this is the correct choice. In a phishing attack, the attacker typically masquerades as a reputable entity or person in electronic communications, such as emails or messages, to deceive individuals into divulging sensitive information. This can include personal details, login credentials, or financial information.

The main tactic in phishing is social engineering, where attackers exploit human psychology to trick victims into taking specific actions, such as clicking on malicious links or attachments. This impersonation often uses logos, brand names, and other elements that make the communication appear authentic, thereby increasing the chances of success.

Other types of attacks mentioned—like physical attacks, technical vulnerability exploitation, and denial of service attacks—do not involve this form of impersonation. Physical attacks focus on hardware and infrastructure, technical vulnerabilities exploit weaknesses in software or systems, and denial of service seeks to overwhelm resources rather than trick individuals into providing information. Thus, the essence of phishing lies in its deceptive nature, which aligns with the definition of fraudulent impersonation through electronic means.