Employees are falling for 3x more phishing scams

Have you ever considered how many phishing scams your employees face daily? The answer might be quite shocking.

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

Before we explore this issue further, let’s take a step back.

Phishing involves scammers attempting to steal sensitive information (such as passwords or payment details) by posing as a trustworthy source.

Your employee might receive an email appearing to be from Microsoft, containing a link to a login page. Once your employee inputs their details, that information is captured by criminals, giving them access to your business.

The worrying part is that phishing attacks are not only increasing in frequency but are also becoming more difficult to detect.

Email phishing remains a significant issue, but scammers are expanding their tactics by embedding fake links in search engines, social media, online ads, and website comments. They know employees are trained to be wary of emails, so they’re finding new ways to bypass safeguards.

So, why are more people falling for these scams?

One factor is fatigue. Employees encounter so many phishing attempts in their inboxes that maintaining constant vigilance is challenging. Scammers are also becoming more inventive, creating fake websites and emails that are nearly indistinguishable from legitimate ones.

They’re now targeting trusted platforms like Microsoft 365, which contain valuable business data.

Your staff can be your greatest defense or your biggest risk. A well-trained, vigilant team can identify phishing attempts before any harm occurs. However, if they’re unprepared, a single click can lead to financial losses, stolen data, and significant trouble for your business.

So, what’s the solution?

Begin with education. Ensure your team recognizes phishing not just in emails but across the internet. Teach them to question unexpected requests for login details, verify links, and report anything suspicious. Regular training sessions can help keep the threat of phishing scams top of mind.

At the same time, don’t place all the responsibility on your team. Tools like multi-factor authentication (MFA) provide an extra security layer, so even if a password is compromised, attackers can’t gain access. Combine this with updated software and a robust cybersecurity plan, and you’ll have a much better chance of safeguarding your business.

Phishing scams aren’t disappearing anytime soon, but with the right strategy, you can prevent your business from becoming another statistic.

Need assistance in protecting your business data? We can help – contact us.