What's the difference between "spam" and "pfishing?"?

Yahoo has a place where you can report abuse. You can check, 'I think this answer is abuse because it violates community guidelines." The violations listed in this category includes "spam."



OR you can check 'I think this answer is abuse because it is illegal.' The list in this second check box includes "pfishing."



So I never know which box to check because I thought spam and pfishing meant the same thing.



So what exactly is the difference between "spam" and "pfishing?"



Thanks.What's the difference between "spam" and "pfishing?"?
Spam is trying to give you information you never asked for so somebody can sell you something you don't need or want. If you need it and want it, the advert is called narrowcasting, not spam, and it's based on data mining. They know what you want, from your past conduct, which they have mined and analysed.



Phishing is trying to extract private information about you, that you really should not disclose to people you don't know or have any reason to trust. Could you just please teel your birthday? How about you bank account number? Or your SSN? Or your friends list? Or your e-mail contacts. Or your last 1000 keystrokes you typed on your computer?



Short Answer: The difference is the direction the information is intended to flow -- spam is them to you --- phishing is you to them.What's the difference between "spam" and "pfishing?"?
Spam is advertising, trying to get you to buy something.



Phishing is attempting to get you to disclose details such as passwords, usernames etc by deception.What's the difference between "spam" and "pfishing?"?
Spam is pointless/meaningless posts or posts with the sole intent to advertise without a question.



"Phishing" (not pfishing) is when someone tries to steal your information (credit card etc) by giving you, for example, a fake website, or a fake e-mail.