Spoofing

Spoofing is a technique wherein malicious internet users pretend to be a person or a resource that they are not. Malicious users typically commit spoofing for several reasons including:

Methods

Methods include faking the sending address of a transmission in order to gain illegal entry into a secure system, and making a website seem authentic to collect passwords and login names.

Purpose of spoofing

1. to gain access to a resource or website they could not otherwise access
2. to manipulate unsuspecting users to give them account login credentials
3. to embarrass or cause other damage to a company or person by committing negative acts while masquerading as them (for example sending virus-ridden emails while masquerading as a Symantec employee)