Which of the following describes a phishing attempt?

A phishing attempt is a type of cyber attack where attackers try to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, or credit card numbers, by posing as a trustworthy entity. The correct answer describes a scenario where an email is offering excessive rewards for minimal effort. This is a common tactic used in phishing as it plays on the recipient's desire for easy gains and may compel them to act quickly without being cautious.

In this scenario, the promise of unrealistic rewards is a red flag, as legitimate offers typically require some form of verification or proportionate return on effort. Attackers often craft such messages to create a sense of urgency or excitement, encouraging victims to click on links or provide sensitive information without due diligence.

In contrast, the other options, such as a legitimate request for feedback or a reminder about an account update, usually involve benign communications that do not exhibit the hallmark signs of phishing. A newsletter confirmation from a trusted source would generally not be considered phishing if the individual had subscribed, as it represents a consensual engagement with the sender.