Are you prepared for the next phishing attack? It’s important to remember that phishing scams are constantly evolving, and businesses and their employees need to be prepared for anything. 

In this blog post, we will discuss what phishing is, different types of phishing attacks, how SMBs are largely impacted by phishing, and how to prepare your employees.

What Is Phishing?

Phishing is a type of cyberattack that uses fraudulent emails or websites to trick victims into revealing personal information, such as passwords or credit card numbers. Phishing attacks can also install malicious software on a victim’s computer.

These attacks are becoming more sophisticated and difficult to spot. For example, phishers can now spoof legitimate websites and use phishing landing pages that look identical to the real thing. They can also create very realistic phishing emails that appear to come from a trusted source, such as your bank or a company you do business with.

Types of Phishing Attacks

There are many different types of phishing attacks, but some of the most common include:

  • Spear phishing: A targeted phishing attack that uses personal information to trick the victim into thinking the email is from a trusted source.
  • Whaling: A phishing attack targeting high-profile individuals, such as CEOs or other executives.
  • Vishing: A phishing attack that uses voice messages instead of emails or text messages.
  • Smishing: A phishing attack that uses text messages instead of emails.

How Does Phishing Impact SMBs?

Small and medium businesses (SMBs) are particularly vulnerable to phishing scams because they often lack the resources to properly train their employees on cybersecurity best practices. In addition, SMBs typically have less robust security systems in place, making it easier for phishers to gain access to sensitive information.

SMBs don’t only face loss of time and reputation when they experience a phishing attack. They can even end up closing their doors permanently due to financial losses. Unfortunately, phishing attacks are becoming more sophisticated and challenging to detect. This means that even businesses with strong security measures in place can be at risk.

Preparing Your Employees with Phishing Security Awareness Training

The best way to protect your business from attacks is to educate your employees through phishing security awareness training. Your employees are your first line of defense and often the most fragile. Empowering your employees with education and real-life practice can save your business and livelihood. Here are a few tips:

  • Train your employees on what phishing is and how to spot it.
  • Encourage employees to report suspicious emails or websites.
  • Set up a system for employees to quickly report phishing attempts.
  • Keep your security systems up-to-date and monitor for unusual activity.

For another helpful training resource, watch Axiom’s staff security training video here.

Why Your Business Needs Professional Cybersecurity Measures

Your business needs professional cybersecurity measures to protect against phishing attacks and other cyber threats. Here at Axiom, we offer comprehensive cybersecurity solutions, including phishing security awareness training, to help businesses stay safe online.

We also offer other IT services in addition to cybersecurity, such as network monitoring, data storage, cloud solutions, and compliance. Reach out to us today to learn more about how we can protect your business from cyber threats of all kinds.