As many as one in five office workers fall prey to phishing incidents, but 14 percent of office workers don’t recognize phishing attacks. Learn more about phishing and how to combat attacks on your personal or company email.
Businesses that sell or process transactions online should consider additional protections such as E-Commerce Security Insurance to help manage cyber risk.
What is Phishing?
Phishing is a scam cybercriminals use to gain access to sensitive information, often via email. The attacker sends an email that appears official but contains spyware, malware, or other malicious content. If you click a link or download an attachment, criminals can access confidential data like bank account numbers, Social Security numbers, and other personal information. In many cases you may not notice the compromise immediately.
How to Recognize a Phishing Email
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Sender Address — Before opening any email, check the sender’s address. It may look similar to an official address but include small changes such as a different domain (for example, using .net instead of .com) or a spelling error like "micrsoft" instead of "microsoft."
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Graphics — Attackers often imitate company graphics, but logos, colors, or layout may be slightly off.
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Spelling and Grammar Errors — Legitimate organizations usually use professionally written content. Emails with obvious spelling or grammar mistakes are a red flag.
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Links — Links are a common phishing tool. Hover over any link (without clicking) to verify the destination matches the sender and looks legitimate.
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Threats — Phishing messages often use fear or urgency, claiming you will lose money, face charges, or suffer other severe consequences unless you act immediately.
Steps That Protect Your Email
You can't stop cybercriminals from targeting you, but you can take steps to reduce your risk and limit damage if an attack succeeds.
If your business handles deliveries or mail as part of operations, you may also want to review relevant protections such as Mail Haulers Insurance.
Install spam filters and virus scans.
Learn to recognize phishing emails.
Only open email links from verified and trusted sources.
Delete any emails that look suspicious.
Train coworkers and associates to recognize phishing threats.
Purchase cyber insurance that protects you if you are a victim of phishing.
Regular security reviews and audits can help identify weaknesses and improve training; consider resources such as Security Audit Insurance to support those efforts.
You can’t stop cybercriminals from targeting your email, but applying these tips can help protect your personal and company data.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I verify if an email is legitimate?
Check the sender address carefully, hover over links to view their real destination, and look for spelling or formatting errors before clicking anything.
What should I do if I clicked a suspicious link?
Disconnect from the network if possible, run a full antivirus scan, change passwords from a secure device, and report the incident to your IT team or service provider.
Can phishing affect personal accounts as well as work accounts?
Yes. Phishing targets personal email, social media, banking, and workplace accounts, so apply the same cautious practices across all accounts.
Are there insurance options that help after a phishing incident?
Some cyber insurance policies can cover costs related to phishing attacks, such as incident response and data recovery, depending on the policy terms.