What does spoofing primarily target in online communications?

Spoofing primarily targets identity deception in online communications. This technique involves impersonating another entity to gain access to confidential information, mislead individuals, or manipulate situations for malicious purposes. By masquerading as a trusted source, the attacker can facilitate unauthorized access to personal data, financial information, or even corporate secrets.

Identity deception can manifest in various forms, such as email spoofing, where attackers send emails that appear to come from legitimate sources. This can misguide the recipient into providing sensitive information like passwords or credit card numbers. Similarly, in IP spoofing, an attacker sends IP packets from a false (or "spoofed") IP address to disguise their identity during data transmission.

Other options, while they do relate to various aspects of cybersecurity, do not specifically encapsulate the primary objective of spoofing. Financial information and network availability can be affected by various attacks, but they are not the central focus of spoofing. Physical security is primarily concerned with protecting tangible assets and facilities, which is outside the realm of digital identity deception. Therefore, focusing on identity deception aptly captures the essence of what spoofing seeks to achieve in online communications.