Simulated phishing is a controlled security exercise that sends fake phishing emails, text messages, or login prompts to employees or users. The goal is to measure how people respond and to improve their ability to spot suspicious content before a real attacker can exploit it.
This matters because phishing remains one of the most common ways attackers steal credentials, deliver malware, or gain an initial foothold in a network. In defense programs, simulated phishing helps security teams track click rates, report rates, and other response patterns over time. It also supports targeted training, because users who fall for realistic lures can receive extra coaching. In real attacks, the same techniques used in simulations—urgent language, fake brand pages, and credential traps—are used by criminals. Good programs combine simulations with awareness training, reporting channels, and trend analysis, so the exercise becomes a measurable control rather than a one-time lesson.