Phishing scams are best described as:

• A. Fake messages designed to steal personal information.
• B. Emails from banks asking for passwords.
• C. Pop-up ads that are annoying.
• D. Telephone calls about debt.

Answer: (A)

Phishing relies on social engineering through fake messages that impersonate a trusted source to steal personal information. The defining move is deception: messages that look legitimate—emails, texts, or messages from banks, tech companies, or friends—urge you to reveal passwords, credit card numbers, or other sensitive data or to click a fraudulent link. That makes fake messages designed to steal personal information the best description, because it captures the attacker’s method and goal in one clear idea.

Legitimate organizations won't ask you for passwords through email or text, so that distinguishing detail helps separate phishing from legitimate communications. The other options describe related nuisances—pop-up ads or debt-related calls—but they don't capture the trickery aimed at obtaining confidential information through a manufactured message.