Phishing has become one of the most common and deceptive forms of cyberattacks. Instead of using advanced hacking techniques, cybercriminals rely on tricking people with fake emails, messages, and login pages. No complicated hacks—just a clever play.
Phishing relies on trust, not technical flaws. Scammers send out convincing emails, messages, or texts, hoping someone takes the bait. And when they do, it can result in victims handing over sensitive details like passwords, financial info, and more.
But by the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly how to spot these traps and protect your business. Let’s begin.
Before we dive into the numbers, let’s quickly define phishing. Phishing is a type of cyberattack where criminals pose as legitimate entities—like banks or well-known companies—through emails, messages, or fake websites to steal sensitive information such as passwords, financial details, or personal data.
Now, here’s the staggering part: a cyberattack happens every 39 seconds, according to a report by the University of Maryland. That adds up to more than 2,200 cyberattacks a day, and phishing is at the top of the list, making up nearly one-third of all data breaches.
Cybercriminals create nearly a million phishing websites every month. That’s right—nearly a million fake sites designed to trick people into entering their login info or downloading malicious software. And with more than 85% of web users reusing the same password across multiple sites, one successful phishing attack could mean access to multiple accounts.
Let’s break down the most common types of phishing attacks you should watch out for:
Attackers send out thousands, sometimes millions, of emails, hoping a few unsuspecting victims will take the bait. These emails often look like official correspondence from banks, popular retailers, or even government agencies. They’ll ask you to click a link, log in, and boom—now they have your login info. It’s basic but effective.
Spear phishing isn’t random. Instead of casting a wide net, these attacks target specific individuals or departments within a business. Often, attackers research their targets, making the emails seem more legitimate. Got an email that looks like it’s from your company’s HR department or IT admin? Double-check before you click—it might be a spear-phishing attempt.
Whaling is like spear phishing, but on a larger scale. Here, attackers target high-level executives—think CEOs, CFOs, and other big fish (whales) within a company. By impersonating senior management, attackers trick employees into sharing sensitive company information. They might even authorize bogus wire transfers. Because, let’s face it, when the “CEO” asks you to do something, you’re probably not going to question it too much.
In a clone phishing attack, cybercriminals don’t bother writing new emails from scratch. Instead, they copy legitimate emails that you’ve received from a trusted source, swap out the real link for a fake one, and resend it to you. The email looks identical to the original—so you’re more likely to click the link without a second thought.
Phishing isn’t just confined to email anymore. Attackers have branched out into text messages (smishing) and phone calls (vishing). Remember that scam call you got from someone claiming to be the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)? That’s vishing. And yes, that text asking you to “verify your account” is probably smishing. In both cases, the goal is the same: trick you into handing over sensitive info.
Phishing attacks work because they exploit something that we all have: trust. Cybercriminals know that most of us expect to receive emails from banks, government agencies, or even our own employers. And when something seems urgent—like a notice saying your account has been compromised—we’re more likely to act quickly without second-guessing.
Add to that the fact that many phishing emails look almost identical to legitimate ones, and you have a recipe for disaster. A misspelled word here, a slightly off URL there—that’s often all that separates a real email from a phishing attack.
You don’t have to be a cybersecurity expert to spot a phishing attack. Keep an eye out for these red flags:
No one’s immune to phishing attacks, but there are steps you can take to minimize the risk:
Related: How to Build a Robust Cybersecurity Strategy for Your Business
Phishing attacks are an everyday threat, but with the right awareness and defences, you can protect your business. Here’s what you need to remember: trust your instincts, scrutinize any suspicious emails, and ensure your team is well-trained to spot potential risks. When it comes to phishing, it’s always safer to question than to click.
Protect your business from phishing attacks with KiwiTech’s cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions. Contact us today to safeguard your data and empower your team with the right tools.