What is the primary method used in vishing?

Vishing, or voice phishing, primarily involves the use of phone calls to deceive individuals into divulging personal information, financial data, or sensitive details. This method often utilizes tactics where the caller impersonates a trusted entity, such as a bank or government agency, to create urgency or fear, compelling the victim to provide the requested information. The effectiveness of vishing lies in its personal touch—scammers can gauge reactions in real-time and adapt their approach, making it a significant threat in the realm of online security.

The other options, while related to phishing in some manner, do not accurately describe the fundamental nature of vishing. Email phishing utilizes electronic communication rather than voice, social media scams often target individuals through messaging platforms rather than direct phone interactions, and text messaging fraud involves SMS messages rather than voice calls. Thus, the correct understanding of vishing is firmly rooted in the use of voice calls specifically.