Employees are falling for 3x more phishing scams

Have you ever wondered how many phishing scams your employees encounter daily? The answer might be more alarming than you think.

Last year, the number of employees clicking on phishing links tripled, and businesses everywhere are feeling the impact.

Before we delve deeper into this issue, let's take a step back.

Phishing is when scammers try to steal sensitive information, like passwords or payment details, by pretending to be a trusted source.

For instance, an employee might receive an email that looks like it's from Microsoft, with a link to a login page. Once they enter their details, that information goes straight to the criminals, giving them access to your business.

Here's the concerning part: phishing attacks are not only becoming more frequent, but they're also getting harder to detect.

Email phishing remains a significant problem, but scammers are expanding their tactics. They're planting fake links in search engines, social media, online ads, and website comments. Knowing that employees are cautious about emails, scammers are finding new ways to bypass their defences.

So, why are more people falling for these scams?

One reason is fatigue. Employees see so many phishing attempts in their inboxes that it's challenging to stay vigilant all the time. Scammers are also becoming more creative, using fake websites and emails that are nearly indistinguishable from the real ones.

They're now targeting trusted platforms like Microsoft 365, which hold a wealth of business data.

Your employees can either be your greatest defense or your biggest vulnerability. A well-trained, alert team can spot phishing attempts before any damage is done. But if they're unaware or unprepared, a single click can lead to financial losses, stolen data, and significant trouble for your business.

So, what's the solution?

Start with education. Ensure your team knows what phishing looks like, not just in emails but across the web. Teach them to question unexpected requests for their login details, double-check links, and report anything suspicious. Regular training sessions can keep the risk of phishing scams fresh in their minds.

At the same time, don't place all the responsibility on your team's shoulders. Tools like multi-factor authentication (MFA) add an extra layer of security, so even if a password is stolen, attackers can't get in. Combine this with up-to-date software and a robust cybersecurity plan, and you'll have a much better chance of keeping your business safe.

Phishing scams aren't going away anytime soon, but with the right approach, you can prevent your business from becoming another statistic.

Need help protecting your business data? We can assist – get in touch.