Impersonation

Definition ∞ Impersonation in a digital context refers to the act of fraudulently representing oneself as another person or entity to gain unauthorized access, information, or assets. This often involves using stolen credentials, fabricated identities, or social engineering tactics to deceive systems or individuals. It is a common method for cybercriminals to conduct phishing attacks, account takeovers, or other forms of digital fraud. Protecting against impersonation is vital for security and trust.
Context ∞ The threat of impersonation remains a persistent challenge in the digital asset space, with scammers frequently targeting cryptocurrency users through fake support channels, phishing websites, and social media schemes. News often reports on instances of wallet compromises or investment scams that leverage sophisticated impersonation techniques. Efforts to combat this involve enhanced multi-factor authentication, user education, and robust identity verification protocols. The decentralized nature of crypto sometimes makes recovery difficult once an impersonation attack succeeds.