How to recognise phishing and protect your business

Phishing is today one of the most common ways attackers get hold of a company's data and money. It does not require advanced technical knowledge from the attacker, it relies on human error. In this article we explain how to recognise phishing and how to protect yourself and your team.

What is phishing

Phishing is a type of fraud in which an attacker sends a fake message, most often an email, that looks like it comes from a trusted person or company. The goal is to get you to reveal a password, click a malicious link or send money. The messages are often designed to look urgent or threatening, so that you react quickly and without thinking.

How to recognise a phishing message

Although attackers are becoming more skilled, most phishing messages have recognisable signs. Pay attention to the following:

• A sense of urgency: messages that demand you act immediately, threatening account closure or a penalty.
• A suspicious sender: an address that looks correct at first glance but contains small errors or an unusual domain.
• Unexpected attachments and links: files or links you did not ask for, especially if they lead to a page that asks you to log in.
• Spelling and grammar mistakes: serious companies rarely send messages full of errors.
• A request for sensitive data: no bank or institution will ask for a password or PIN by email.

How to protect your business

Technology helps, but the most important defence against phishing is an aware and educated team. Here are a few practical measures:

• Educate employees: regularly remind your team how to recognise suspicious messages.
• Introduce two-factor authentication (2FA): even if an attacker gets the password, the second factor stops the login.
• Check before you click: for suspicious messages, contact the sender through another channel.
• Update systems regularly: security updates close the gaps that attackers exploit.
• Have an incident plan: know who to contact and what to do if someone does fall for it.

What to do if you fell for it

If you suspect you clicked a phishing link or revealed information, react quickly. Change passwords, notify IT support or a security expert and watch for unusual account activity. A fast reaction is often the difference between a minor nuisance and a serious incident.

Phishing relies on a moment of inattention. By investing in team awareness and basic security measures you can significantly reduce that moment and protect what you have built over the years.