What best defines the concept of spoofing?

The concept of spoofing is best described as obfuscating truth with false information. In this context, spoofing refers to the act of creating a misleading identity or altering information to deceive recipients. This can involve impersonating a trusted source to illicitly gain sensitive information or access unauthorized systems. Spoofing can manifest in various forms, such as email spoofing, where the sender’s address is forged to appear as if it originates from a legitimate source. This deceptive practice is aimed at tricking individuals into believing the communication is genuine.

The other interpretations provided—hiding information inside encrypted packets, sending out blast emails to untargeted users, and hijacking users' email addresses—focus on different aspects of security and communication, but they do not encapsulate the essence of spoofing as it revolves primarily around misinformation and deception.