What distinguishes phishing from other types of spam?

Phishing is specifically designed with the intent of acquiring sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, and financial details, from individuals. This distinguishes it from other forms of spam, which may aim to advertise products or services rather than directly steal personal information. In phishing attacks, the perpetrator typically poses as a trustworthy entity, such as a bank or a well-known company, to manipulate targets into divulging their credentials or clicking on malicious links. This targeted approach is what sets phishing apart as a more serious threat compared to general spam, which may be less focused and often lacks the intent to gather sensitive information.

While phishing can indeed be widespread, and it sometimes targets random users, these characteristics do not define what phishing is. The nonsensical nature of some spam is also not a defining factor since phishing attempts are usually crafted to appear legitimate.