What is the significance of user education in combating phishing?

User education is significant in combating phishing because it helps individuals understand the tactics and methods used by cybercriminals to deceive them. By educating users about common phishing techniques, signs to look for in suspicious emails or messages, and ways to verify the authenticity of communications, they become more vigilant and less likely to fall for phishing scams.

Empowering individuals through education enables them to identify scams by being able to recognize phishing red flags such as requests for personal information, urgent demands for action, unfamiliar senders, poor grammar or spelling, and suspicious links or attachments. With the proper knowledge and awareness, individuals are better equipped to protect themselves and their sensitive information from falling into the hands of cybercriminals conducting phishing attacks.