What is phishing primarily used for?

Phishing is primarily employed to solicit individuals' personal data, such as usernames, passwords, credit card numbers, and other sensitive information. This fraudulent practice often involves deceptive communications, typically via email or messages, mimicking legitimate entities to trick individuals into disclosing confidential information. Attackers may pose as banks, service providers, or other trusted organizations, creating a false sense of security that compels recipients to provide their details willingly.

The other options may relate to internet safety and security, but they do not accurately capture the essence of phishing. For instance, while phishing communications can disguise themselves as spam, the primary objective transcends merely generating spam; it focuses on acquiring sensitive information for malicious purposes. Similarly, accessing secure databases and creating fake social media profiles may involve deceit but do not directly embody the main purpose of phishing efforts, which is the theft of personal data.