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Phishing remains one of the most common — and most successful — ways attackers gain access to business systems, data, and credentials.
And while many people still imagine phishing as badly written emails and obvious scams, the reality is very different.
Modern phishing attacks are targeted, well-researched, and highly convincing.
They are designed to blend seamlessly into normal business communication — which is exactly why they continue to work.
This is no longer a “tech problem”.
It is a people, process, and awareness problem.
Phishing is no longer obvious: modern attacks are well-written, targeted, and designed to look like genuine business communication.
Most breaches still start with an email: not a technical failure, but a human interaction.
Attackers use urgency and pressure to force mistakes: “act now” language is a major red flag.
Lookalike domains and spoofed identities are common: always check the actual sender address, not just the display name.
Unexpected links and attachments are high-risk: especially when you were not expecting them.
Generic greetings and inconsistent branding are warning signs: legitimate organisations usually personalise communication.
Hovering over links before clicking is a simple but powerful habit: it often exposes malicious destinations.
Repetition and training reduce risk: phishing simulations and ongoing education make a measurable difference.
Phishing attacks have evolved beyond generic and obvious misspellings. Modern phishing is:
Attackers invest time crafting emails that mirror real business communication patterns to increase the likelihood of success — which is why staff awareness and verification skills are critical to your defence strategy.
Use this checklist as a quick reference for your team before responding to or interacting with any email they’re unsure about.
Look beyond the display name. Phishers often use domains that look similar but are slightly different:
If the domain isn’t exactly right — treat it with caution.
Attackers often push for immediate action:
These tactics are designed to override careful thinking.
Before you click:
Phishing links often hide behind legitimate-looking text but take you to malicious sites.
Files you weren’t expecting, even from a known contact, can contain malware:
If you’re not expecting an attachment — verify with the sender by phone or separate message before opening.
Phishing emails often use broad salutations like:
Legitimate emails from organisations you transact with usually use your actual name or account reference.
While this isn’t foolproof — many phishing emails still contain:
These are red flags worth investigating further.
You can build this checklist into:
Repetition and reinforcement are what make awareness stick.
Phishing isn’t going away — but the good news is that most successful attacks still rely on human interaction. Teaching your team how to identify suspicious signs effectively reduces the likelihood of a breach.
Combine this checklist with:
And your organisation will be much better equipped to resist modern email threats.