The email looks legit. It uses your company’s logo, addresses you by name, and urges you to act fast. “Reset your password now” … “Confirm your payment details” … “Click here to avoid account suspension.”

But if you look closer, it’s a trap. This is phishing, one of the most common cyber threats targeting businesses today.

Why phishing is dangerous
Phishing emails trick users into sharing sensitive information, like login credentials or financial details, or into clicking malicious links that install malware. According to Verizon’s Data Breach Report, phishing is involved in over 80% of reported security incidents.

And the danger isn’t just for individuals. A single employee falling for a phishing scam can compromise an entire organization.

How to spot a phishing email
 Even the best phishing emails leave red flags. Train yourself and your team to look for:

  • Suspicious sender addresses: Check the domain; it may be slightly misspelled (e.g., “rnicrosoft.com” instead of “microsoft.com”).
  • Urgent or threatening language: Scammers want to pressure you into acting fast without thinking.
  • Unexpected attachments or links: Hover over links before clicking to see the real URL. If it doesn’t match the text, it’s a red flag.
  • Generic greetings: Watch out for “Dear User” instead of your actual name.

Best practices to stay safe

  • Enable email filtering tools to catch most phishing attempts before they hit your inbox.
  • Train employees regularly with phishing simulations.
  • Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) so stolen credentials alone won’t give hackers access.
  • Report suspicious emails to your IT team immediately.

How ISM can help
At ISM, we provide cybersecurity training and protective solutions to help your business spot phishing attempts before it’s too late. Our goal is to empower your team to be the first line of defense against cyber threats.

Don’t let phishing scams put your data at risk. 

Contact ISM today to strengthen your cybersecurity defenses.