What type of malicious email usually attempts to steal personal information by claiming the recipient has won a prize?

The type of malicious email that claims a recipient has won a prize and typically attempts to steal personal information is known as phishing. This approach generally involves sending generic messages to a broad audience, enticing recipients with offers of rewards or prizes as a lure. The aim is to trick individuals into providing sensitive data, such as passwords or credit card information, under the pretense of claiming their supposed winnings.

Phishing is characterized by its mass-targeted strategy, where attackers create a sense of urgency or excitement to prompt the recipient to act quickly without thoroughly verifying the source. This tactic can lead to serious consequences for individuals whose personal information falls into the hands of cybercriminals.

In contrast, spear phishing involves targeted attacks directed at specific individuals or organizations, often leveraging personal information to increase their effectiveness. Whaling is a form of spear phishing that specifically targets high-profile individuals, such as executives. Vishing, or voice phishing, uses phone calls instead of emails to trick individuals into giving away confidential information. Each of these approaches employs different tactics but generally revolves around deception, while phishing specifically addresses mass email campaigns promising prizes.