What does "spoofing" typically involve?

Spoofing typically involves assuming the identity of another user or device, which can be carried out through various methods such as IP spoofing, email spoofing, or session hijacking. This practice allows an attacker to trick systems or users into believing that they are interacting with a trustworthy entity when they are not. By masquerading as another individual or device, the malicious actor can gain unauthorized access to sensitive information, manipulate communications, or conduct fraudulent activities.

In the context of cybersecurity, spoofing can pose significant risks, as it undermines the integrity of communications and can lead to more severe attacks, such as phishing or man-in-the-middle attacks. The effectiveness of spoofing relies on an attacker's ability to disguise their true identity, potentially leading to severe breaches of trust and security.

While the other choices touch on different aspects of security and breaches, they do not specifically describe the act of impersonating another user or device, which is the defining characteristic of spoofing. Encrypting sensitive data refers to protecting it from unauthorized access, unauthorized access to secure networks pertains to gaining entrance without permission, and manipulation of security protocols indicates altering established security measures rather than impersonating entities.