How can phishing attacks compromise user account security?

Phishing attacks compromise user account security primarily by revealing credentials, which can lead to unauthorized access. In a phishing attack, cybercriminals use deceptive emails, messages, or websites to trick individuals into providing sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, or credit card details. When a user inadvertently enters their credentials on a fraudulent site, these attackers gain the ability to access the user's legitimate account without their knowledge.

Once they have obtained the user's credentials, they can exploit this access in various harmful ways, such as stealing personal information, making unauthorized transactions, or initiating further attacks on the user or their contacts. The ease with which user credentials can be harvested makes phishing a prevalent and effective method for compromising account security.

Other choices don’t align with how phishing attacks operate; for example, phishing does not automatically change passwords, nor does it encrypt information or improve system security mechanisms. Instead, it undermines security by eliciting sensitive data under false pretenses.