Throughout Cybersecurity Awareness Month, we covered the top three email security threats that businesses run into most often. Here's a recap of what each one looks like, how to spot them, and what your team can do to stay protected.
Common Phishing Red Flags: Know What to Look For
Phishing is a type of online scam where criminals pose as a trusted person or company to trick people into handing over sensitive information, such as passwords, credit card numbers, or personally identifiable information.
The Threat
Phishing scams work because they are made to look legitimate. Modern phishing emails can look nearly identical to legitimate business communications, including professional formatting, correct grammar, and familiar branding. This is why it is important to always verify unexpected requests, even when the message appears authentic.
Additionally, phishing emails use emotionally appealing language to increase the chances of a successful scam. This could mean creating urgency by claiming a user's account has been compromised or sparking curiosity with an unexpected receipt or invoice.
The Defense
The best defense is knowing the red flags. Microsoft points to a few common signs:
- Suspicious links
- Urgent or emotionally appealing language
- Poor grammar, typos, or unusual wording
- Requests for sensitive information
- Mismatched or misspelled sender addresses
If an email appears suspicious, avoid clicking links, opening attachments, or replying. Use your organization’s designated phishing-reporting tool or contact your IT/security team. Follow their instructions for handling or deleting the message.
Business Email Compromise: Verify Suspicious Requests
In a Business Email Compromise (BEC) scam, a cybercriminal sends an email that appears to be from a trusted sender, such as your CEO or a vendor you work with regularly. An attacker might use a fake email address that closely resembles an authentic one or even compromise a legitimate email account to request sensitive information or unauthorized payments.
The Threat
BEC is so effective because the request appears to come from a legitimate, trusted source. According to the Huntress 2026 Cyber Threat Report, BEC ranked among the most dangerous identity threats of 2025, and hackers continue to become more sophisticated.
The Defense
Although BEC can be harder to catch than a typical phishing email, the FBI shares a few ways you can protect yourself:
1. Verify before you act. Do not click on anything in an unsolicited text message or email asking you to share personal information or make a purchase. Before approving payments, changing banking information, or sharing sensitive information, independently verify the request using a previously established phone number or another trusted communication method. Never use contact information provided in the suspicious message itself.
2. Enable multi-factor authentication on business accounts. MFA provides an additional layer of security if a password is stolen. Whenever possible, use phishing-resistant methods, such as passkeys or security keys, and never approve an unexpected sign-in request.
3. Do not share personal information on social media. Publicly sharing information such as your pet's name, your birthday, or names of family members gives scammers information to guess your password or answer security questions.
4. Treat urgency as a sign. If someone is pressing you to act fast, slow down and verify.
QR-Code Phishing: Think Before You Scan
QR-code phishing, or quishing, hides a malicious link inside a QR code that sends victims to a fake website built to steal sensitive information, such as login credentials or financial information.
The Threat
Unlike a typical link, users cannot preview the destination URL until after the QR code is scanned. Even after scanning, some QR scanners display only a limited URL preview.
These characteristics can make QR-code phishing particularly difficult to recognize, especially when an attack redirects employees from a protected work computer to a personal mobile device.
The Defense
Quishing is tough to detect, but Security.org shares common signs that you should pause before scanning a QR code:
1. You were not expecting it. If you did not expect to receive a QR code or the context does not add up, treat it as suspicious.
2. A physical code looks like a sticker. If a QR code on a restaurant menu or parking meter appears to be a sticker and not printed on signage, do not scan it.
3. The destination URL immediately asks for credentials. Be cautious when a QR code directs you to a login page, especially if the code was unexpected. Verify the website address before entering credentials. When possible, navigate to the organization’s official website or application independently.
4. The email contains typical phishing red flags. If the email contains urgent language, grammatical errors, or unknown senders, skip the scan and report the email.
What if You've Already Clicked?
If you accidentally click a suspicious link, enter credentials on an unfamiliar website, or approve an unexpected authentication request, notify your IT or security team immediately. Do not wait to see if something happens. Early reporting allows security professionals to investigate suspicious activity, secure affected accounts, and potentially prevent further damage.
Beyond October: Keep Cybersecurity in the Conversation
Cybersecurity Awareness Month may be wrapping up, but cyber threats don't have a calendar. Practicing safe email habits and staying aware of common threats can help you protect yourself, your coworkers, and your business from cybercriminals.
One of the easiest and most effective ways to stay educated and informed year-round is with ongoing Security Awareness Training for all employees. Regular training walks employees through real-world scenarios so they know how to respond well before an incident occurs.
