Have you ever considered how many phishing scams your team faces daily? The number may surprise you.
Recent reports show that the rate at which employees are clicking on phishing links has tripled in the past year, leading to significant consequences for businesses.
To understand the full scope of this, let’s break it down.
What is Phishing?
Phishing is a type of scam where attackers impersonate trusted sources to steal sensitive information, such as passwords or payment details.
For example, an employee might receive an email that appears to be from Microsoft, containing a link to a login page. Once they enter their details, the scammers gain access to sensitive company information, giving them control over your business.
The Growing Challenge
The troubling part is that phishing attacks are not only becoming more frequent—they’re also harder to recognize. While email phishing remains a primary threat, scammers are branching out, embedding fake links in search engine results, social media posts, online ads, and website comments.
Scammers are adapting because they know that employees are increasingly cautious with emails, so they are finding new ways to bypass this awareness.
Why Are More Employees Falling for Phishing?
The rise in phishing success can be attributed to fatigue. Employees encounter so many phishing attempts that it becomes harder for them to stay alert. Additionally, attackers are becoming more sophisticated, crafting emails and websites that look nearly identical to legitimate ones.
Platforms like Microsoft 365, which contain a wealth of business data, are increasingly becoming targets.
Your Team: The First Line of Defense
Your employees can either be your greatest asset or your biggest vulnerability when it comes to cybersecurity. A well-informed, vigilant team can spot phishing attempts and avoid damage. But an unprepared or unaware workforce increases the risk of financial loss, stolen data, and other serious consequences for your business.
What Can You Do?
Start by educating your team on the various forms of phishing attacks, not just via email but across the internet. Encourage them to always question unsolicited requests for login credentials, verify suspicious links, and report any questionable activity.
To reinforce this, regular training sessions are essential to keep phishing risks top of mind.
In addition to training, integrate multi-factor authentication (MFA) into your systems. MFA adds an extra layer of security, making it harder for attackers to gain access, even if they steal a password. Coupled with up-to-date software and a comprehensive cybersecurity plan, you significantly increase your defenses.
Stopping Phishing Attacks
Phishing scams are not going away, but with the right precautions, your business can avoid becoming another victim.
Need help strengthening your cybersecurity? Contact us today to ensure your business stays safe from phishing attacks.