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Phishing remains one of the most common and dangerous cybersecurity threats year after year. Despite advancements in AI-driven security solutions, their counterpart includes AI-driven attacks.

Many small business owners are familiar with the typical hallmarks of long-standard phishing-style emails. Yet, user-vulnerability continues to be a major factor in overall successful attacks.

For small businesses—who receive the highest rate of targeted malicious emails at 1 in every 323—the stakes have never been higher.

If you think cybercriminals only target big corporations, think again. In reality, 37% of companies hit by ransomware have fewer than 100 employees. Plus, breaches are getting more expensive, with the global average cost reaching $4.88 million in 2024, a 10% increase over last year. Even worse, 55% of U.S. consumers say they’d be less likely to continue doing business with a company that suffers a data breach.

So, how do you avoid becoming a statistic? It starts with knowing how to spot phishing emails before they cause harm.

1. Watch for Requests That Feel Out of Place

One of the easiest ways to identify a phishing attempt is by paying attention to requests that seem unusual. Sounds easy, right? Of course, it’s never that easy. When you’re powering through emails first thing in the morning, you can fail to scrutinize everyone that comes through. But, there are some common checks you should have in place when assessing if an email is legitimate.

Cybercriminals often ask for things that don’t align with normal business practices—like sudden demands for gift cards, wire transfers, or sensitive personal information. These should ALWAYS be approved through a phone call to an accounting resource directly. Make it common practice and insist that your company receive regular training on this standard procedure.

Another instance is providing a PDF download or sometimes even a link to a shared folder. If you didn’t prompt a request for this type of information then it never hurts to give a call to verify. Do not open anything that doesn’t seem like it is pertinent.

These emails frequently convey a sense of urgency, pressuring you to act quickly without asking questions. If an email request feels off, don’t touch it until you’ve verified it’s real with a phone call.

2. Scrutinize the Sender’s Email Address—and Be Aware of Compromised Accounts

Checking the sender’s address is an essential step, but it’s no longer a foolproof method. Cybercriminals have adopted a more sophisticated approach: hacking legitimate email accounts and sending phishing emails directly from them. This means even a familiar and correct email address could still be part of an attack.

If an email request feels unusual, physically call the sender using a verified phone number to confirm its legitimacy—even if the email appears to come from someone you know.

It’s a shame that in this day and age, we can’t even trust legitimate emails. We have to be on guard when it comes to internet security. Ever vigilant!

3. Hover Before You Click

Phishing emails often contain malicious links. Before clicking, hover your mouse over any links to reveal the destination URL. If the address looks suspicious or doesn’t match the company’s official site for the love of all things safety, don’t click it.

Even better: Avoid clicking links in unsolicited emails altogether. Navigate to the company’s website manually by typing the URL into your browser.

Why Small Businesses Can’t Afford to Ignore Phishing Threats

Phishing attacks aren’t just a nuisance—they can be devastating. Small businesses often lack the resources to recover quickly from breaches, making them prime targets for cybercriminals. Speaking of which, do you have an Incident Response Plan?

With consumer trust on the line and the cost of data breaches rising, prevention is crucial.

Cyberattacks can lead to:

• Loss of customer trust: More than half of consumers would think twice about continuing business with a company that was breached.
• Financial damages: Data breaches are becoming more expensive, with recovery costs climbing year over year.
• Operational disruptions: Phishing attacks can cripple your business operations and expose sensitive information.

What to Do If You Suspect a Phishing Email

• Don’t respond. Never reply to suspicious emails.
• Don’t click links or open attachments. Even seemingly harmless files can contain malware.
• Verify the sender. Contact the sender directly using a phone number or communication method you know is legitimate.
• Report it to your IT department. Always notify your IT team if you suspect a phishing attempt.

By staying vigilant and educating your team, you can reduce the risk of falling victim to phishing scams. Cybercriminals may be evolving, but so are your defenses—and it all starts with awareness.

Want to see how well you can spot phishing emails? Test your skills with SonicWall’s Phishing IQ Test. Stay sharp, stay secure, and protect your business from the bait.