(Read time: 2 minutes)
Phishing emails remain one of the biggest cyber threats to small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs).
These emails often look legitimate, using trusted logos or familiar names, but their real aim is to trick you into revealing sensitive information such as passwords, banking details, or customer data.
Why Small Businesses Are at Risk to Phishing Emails
Cybercriminals know that small businesses often:
- Lack a dedicated IT or cybersecurity team.
- Reuse passwords across accounts.
- Don’t provide staff with regular cyber awareness training.
- Rely on email for critical operations with clients and suppliers.
For small businesses, the impact of a successful phishing attack can be devastating.
It can lead to financial fraud, data breaches, identity theft, and damage to your reputation that could take years to recover from.—ranging from financial loss to reputational damage.
Unlike large corporations, SMEs often have fewer cybersecurity resources, making them prime targets.
The good news is that phishing attacks are preventable if you and your team know what to look out for.
How to Spot a Phishing Email
Phishing emails often share a set of warning signs.
1. Suspicious Email Addresses
Even if the display name looks legitimate, always check the actual sender address. Look for misspellings, extra numbers, or domains that don’t match the official company.
2. Urgent or Threatening Language
Phrases like “Your account will be suspended” or “Immediate action required” are designed to make you panic and click.
3. Unexpected Attachments
Be cautious with attachments in emails you weren’t expecting. These attachments could contain malware or ransomware.
4. Links That Don’t Match
Hover over links before clicking. If the web address doesn’t match the sender’s website—or looks unusual—don’t open it.
5. Requests for Personal or Financial Information
Legitimate businesses will never ask you to provide passwords, bank details, or tax information by email.
Training Staff to Stay Alert for Phishing Emails
Human error is one of the leading causes of successful phishing attacks.
Train staff to pause, slow down, double-check suspicious emails, and report anything unusual, before they click is your first line of defense and will significantly reduce your business’s risk.
Building a Cyber-Safe Culture
Cybersecurity isn’t just about technology—it’s about creating a culture where staff are aware of threats and confident in how to respond.
Regular reminders, checklists, and practical resources help keep phishing awareness top of mind.
Even a quick 5-minute reminder in a staff meeting or a poster near the printer can reinforce awareness and reduce risks.
FREE Resource: Phishing Email Checklist
To help your team spot suspicious emails before they cause harm, we’ve created a simple, printable poster you can use in your workplace.
👉 Download our FREE Phishing Email Checklist Poster for Small Business . Quick reference for employees to hang near the photocopier on at their desk.
