Employees are falling for 3x more phishing scams

Have you ever stopped to wonder how many phishing scams your employees encounter each day? The answer might come as a nasty surprise.

Last year, the number of employees clicking on phishing links TRIPLED – and businesses everywhere are paying the price.

Before we dive into this situation a little more, let’s rewind a bit.

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

Maybe your employee gets an email that looks like it’s from Microsoft, with a link to a login page. Once your employee enters their details, that information falls right into the hands of criminals… and from this, they get the keys to your business. 

Here’s the really worrying part: Phishing attacks aren’t just happening more often, they’re getting harder to spot, too.

Email phishing is still a big issue, but scammers are branching out; planting fake links in search engines, social media, online ads, and website comments. Scammers know that employees are taught to be cautious about emails, so they’re finding new ways to slip through the cracks. 

So, why are more people falling for these scams?

Part of the problem is fatigue. Employees see so many phishing attempts in their inboxes, it’s difficult to keep their guard up every minute of the day. Scammers are also getting more creative, using fake websites and emails that are almost impossible to tell apart from the real thing.

And they’re now targeting trusted platforms like Microsoft 365, which hold a goldmine of business data.

Your people can either be your greatest defence 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 open the door to financial losses, stolen data, and a whole world of trouble for your business.

So, what’s the solution?

Start with education. Make sure 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. And don’t rely on memory alone; regular training sessions can keep the risk of phishing scams fresh in your employees’ minds.

At the same time, don’t leave 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 does get stolen, attackers can’t get in. Combine this with up-to-date software and a strong cyber security plan, and you’ve got a much better chance of keeping your business safe. 

Phishing scams aren’t going away any time soon, but with the right approach, you can stop your business from becoming another statistic.

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

Past Blogs

How concerned should you be about cyber attacks?

How concerned should you be about cyber attacks?

You’ve probably heard a lot of talk about cyber attacks but how worried should you really be? Well, very, because cyber criminals are getting smarter. We have good news...
How to create secure passwords

How to create secure passwords

Weak passwords are one of the biggest security risks to your business. Why? Because cyber criminals are getting smarter than ever before. If they manage to crack just...
Beware these common ‘malvertising’ attacks

Beware these common ‘malvertising’ attacks

Ever clicked an online ad and wondered afterwards if it was a scam?… most of us have – and cyber criminals want us to keep doing it. Here’s what to look out for...
Businesses are taking too long to fix vulnerabilities

Businesses are taking too long to fix vulnerabilities

If you knew your systems were at risk of attack, you’d jump in and get things locked down fast – right? Actually… many businesses take too long to fix vulnerabilities....
What Are CyberSecurity Services

What are Cybersecurity Services?

What are CyberSecurity Services ? In our digital world, the question of what cybersecurity services are is more relevant than ever. As businesses across the UK rely...
Warning: Don’t ignore hardware requirements for Windows 11

Warning: Don’t ignore hardware requirements for Windows 11

You might be ready for the upgrade to Windows 11, but is your hardware? Running the upgrade without meeting the minimum requirements could slow down everything in your...
benefits of cybersecurity

Benefits of CyberSecurity

The benefits of cybersecurity. With vast amounts of information are stored online, the benefits of robust cybersecurity are more vital than ever. At Network &...
what is dmarc

What is DMARC

What is DMARC and Why Does Your Business Need It? When it comes to protecting your business from cyber threats, email security is often overlooked. Yet, email is one of...
Why is password management software important

Why is Password Management Software Important

Why is Password Management Software Important for Your Business? In today’s digital world, passwords are the keys to your business’s most sensitive information. From...
What is Email Filtering ?

What is Email Filtering and Why Every Business Needs It

Email is the lifeblood of business communication, but it’s also one of the most vulnerable entry points for cyberattacks. According to research, 96% of cyber threats...