Phishing: A Major Threat to Organizations
Phishing is one of the most common and dangerous forms of social engineering, often acting as the entry point for larger cyberattacks. It involves sending fraudulent communications, usually via email, that appear to come from a trusted source—such as a bank, government agency, or internal business department—designed to trick the recipient into revealing sensitive information, clicking on malicious links, or downloading infected attachments. Phishing attacks can also occur through other communication channels like SMS (smishing) or social media platforms (vishing or social media phishing).
Phishing attacks can lead to severe consequences for organizations, including financial loss, data breaches, reputational damage, and legal liabilities. For instance, attackers may steal login credentials to access corporate networks or deploy malware that compromises sensitive systems. To protect against phishing, businesses should implement robust email filtering tools, use multi-factor authentication (MFA), and educate employees on how to spot phishing attempts. Additionally, phishing simulation exercises can help employees practice identifying phishing attempts in a controlled environment before they fall victim to real-world attacks.