Common Phishing Attacks Used Against Businesses

Hackers continue to use phishing attacks against organizations and businesses because they are very effective. Phishing acts involve the impersonation of reputable businesses or individuals via email, social media, text messages, and other mediums to steal sensitive information and money by tricking victims. Emotional pressures such as urgency and curiosity are employed to entice victims into the cybercriminals trap.

Phishing could be done to steal sensitive data, social security numbers, credit cards, and login credentials. It may also involve installing malicious applications onto the target’s computer for surveillance. The entire computer network system may also be hijacked to get ransom from victims.

The result of a successful phishing attack can range from losing customers to a business permanently shutting down.

In this article, we discuss the different types of phishing attacks that cybercriminals can use against your business.

1. Email Phishing

This is the most common form of a phishing attack as email can be easily spoofed to look legitimate. Fake links, malicious links, and attachments are included in the email. Phishing emails may inform targets that their account has been compromised and need urgent action only to redirect them to attackers-controlled domains for credential theft. It may also demand personal and financial information while impersonating banks, financial institutions, or the IRS.

Phishing emails also contain an attachment that can infect the target PC when downloaded and opened.

Sophisticated attackers can craft emails that look very much like originals to avoid detection.

2. Spear Phishing

This phishing method involves targeting a specific group or individual such as a company manager. More work is done on the part of the attackers to study their victims’ interests, calendars, and professional life for better impersonation.

Spear Phishing increases the chance of phishing success by tailoring the attack to the victim’s taste and expectations. It is usually directed against lucrative targets in positions of authority within an organization.

3. Search Engine Phishing

Many users get information about various online services via search engines. Hackers can make fraudulent websites appear on top of search results using a technique known as SEO poisoning. Unsuspecting users are then tricked into visiting the fake site.

Since many customers don’t bother inspecting the URL of search results, fake websites can be used to steal their credentials, install harmful software or collect the personal information of victims.

4. Whaling

This is a highly specific form of phishing attack that literally targets “Whales” or “big fish” in a company. It is deployed against CEOs, CFOs and other top-ranking managers within an organization.

It can be used to get the company’s bank accounts information, tax documents and financial authorization codes.

A related type of whaling is the Business Email Compromise in which hackers impersonate executives and send fraudulent instruction emails to subordinates or partner companies.

5. Smishing

Smishing attacks are carried out via SMS. But the principle is similar to email phishing. Cybercriminals send fraudulent SMS with malicious links to victims’ phones.

The links could point to fake software updates, prize winnings, or app downloads which can be used to infect the smartphone.

6. Malware Phishing

Malware links and attachments could be delivered via email and SMS. The aim is often to gain long-term access to victims’ devices. Attackers can then control the system as they see fit.

7. Vishing

This is also known as voice vishing. Here, an attacker or a group places a call to a victim pretending to be from tech support, bank official, government ministry, or other organization. The victims are tricked into giving up sensitive information such as login details and financial data that the hackers can then use for further compromise.

8. Clone Phishing

This involves compromising a victim’s email account. The actors then modify emails in the hacked inbox by replacing attachments and adding fake links to them.

Finally, cybercriminals send the modified email to the target’s contact list which is trusted by the receiver because it originates from a known source.

9. Man-in-the-Middle Phishing

Cyber Attackers can gain control of a network by sitting in the middle. They can eavesdrop and monitor the communication of users on a compromised network.

The attackers can intercept and replace legitimate website requests. If this happens, login credentials and private data could easily be stolen or funds transferred from the victim’s account.

10. Malvertising

Digital ad networks or online advertising campaigns can be used to maliciously spread malware . The systems of unsuspecting victims who click on these type of ads are compromised.

You can defend against phishing by organizing regular training or phishing detection for employees. In addition, network filtering software should be installed to block malicious emails. Phishing attacks are getting more prolific, protect your business by being proactive with cybersecurity. Contact us today to learn more about how to keep your business safe.

Common IT Security Compliance Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

June 17, 2025
Meeting IT security compliance standards is crucial for businesses that handle sensitive data, particularly in industries such as healthcare, finance, defense, and e-commerce. Regulatory frameworks such as HIPAA, CMMC, PCI-DSS, and GDPR exist to help ensure businesses protect customer information and maintain robust cybersecurity practices. Unfortunately, many organizations fall short of these requirements, often due to common, avoidable mistakes. These gaps can result in costly fines, data breaches, and reputational damage, which can significantly impact the business's bottom line and customer trust. 1. Failing to Conduct Regular Risk Assessments The Pitfall: Many businesses overlook the importance of conducting routine risk assessments. Without these, it’s challenging to identify vulnerabilities or evaluate whether your current cybersecurity controls meet compliance standards. How to Avoid It: Implement a regular risk assessment schedule. Work with a qualified IT provider to evaluate your systems, identify weaknesses, and document remediation plans. These assessments should be performed at least annually, or whenever significant changes to the system occur. 2. Inadequate Employee Training The Pitfall: Your employees are your first line of defense—and often your most significant vulnerability. A common compliance issue arises when businesses fail to train staff on cybersecurity best practices or on handling sensitive data appropriately. How to Avoid It: Invest in ongoing cybersecurity awareness training. Ensure employees understand how to recognize phishing emails, create strong passwords, and report any suspicious activity. Training should be updated regularly to reflect current threats and compliance requirements. 3. Improper Data Handling and Storage The Pitfall: Storing sensitive data in unsecured locations, failing to encrypt information, or retaining data longer than necessary are significant compliance risks. These practices are often flagged during audits. How to Avoid It: Adopt data classification policies that define how different types of data should be handled; encrypt sensitive data both at rest and in transit. Establish clear data retention policies and ensure that obsolete data is disposed of securely. 4. Lack of Incident Response Planning The Pitfall: When a security incident occurs, time is of the essence. Many businesses lack a documented incident response plan, or their existing plan hasn’t been thoroughly tested. This can lead to delayed responses, increased damage, and regulatory penalties. How to Avoid It: Develop a formal incident response plan that includes roles, responsibilities, communication protocols, and steps for containment and recovery. Run simulated breach scenarios with your IT team to ensure everyone knows how to respond effectively. 5. Using Outdated Software or Systems The Pitfall: Running outdated operating systems, software, or firmware is a common issue that can lead to compliance failures. Unsupported technologies are more vulnerable to exploitation. How to Avoid It: Keep all systems and applications up to date with the latest patches. Use automated tools to track software versions and receive alerts about end-of-life technologies. Schedule regular maintenance windows to apply updates and upgrades. 6. Insufficient Access Controls The Pitfall: Allowing too many employees access to sensitive data—or failing to revoke access when it’s no longer needed—can lead to data breaches and non-compliance. How to Avoid It: Implement role-based access controls and follow the principle of least privilege. This principle means that each user should have the minimum level of access necessary to perform their job. Regularly audit user accounts and permissions to ensure access is current and appropriate. Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add an additional layer of protection. 7. Neglecting Third-Party Vendor Risks The Pitfall: Businesses often overlook the fact that their compliance responsibilities extend to third-party vendors. If a vendor mishandles your data, you could still be held accountable. How to Avoid It: Vet third-party vendors carefully. Ensure they meet the same compliance standards as your business and include security requirements in your contracts. Conduct periodic audits or request compliance certifications from your vendors. 8. Failing to Document Policies and Procedures The Pitfall: Even if your security practices are strong, failing to document your compliance policies can result in audit failures. Regulators want to see evidence that you have formal processes in place. How to Avoid It: Create and maintain clear documentation for all compliance-related policies, including data protection, access control, incident response, and employee training. Make these documents easily accessible for audits and regularly review them to ensure updates are current. Conclusion Compliance with IT security standards is not a one-time project—it requires ongoing attention, regular updates, and a proactive approach to maintain effectiveness. By understanding and addressing these common pitfalls, your business can stay ahead of regulatory requirements, strengthen its security posture, and reduce the risk of costly incidents. This ongoing attention is crucial to maintaining your business's security and audit readiness. If you’re unsure whether your business is meeting current IT compliance standards, professional support can help. Contact SDTEK today to schedule a compliance assessment and learn how our IT services can keep your business secure and audit-ready. With our support, you can navigate the complex landscape of IT security compliance with confidence.

Why Cybersecurity and Business IT Support Are Crucial for Fort Wayne Businesses

April 9, 2025
In today’s digital-first world, cybersecurity isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity. Whether you run a small startup or a growing enterprise in Fort Wayne , protecting your business’s data, systems, and clients is essential for long-term success. From ransomware attacks to phishing scams, cyber threats are evolving every day, and the best way to stay ahead of them is by partnering with a reliable IT services provider that understands the unique needs of local businesses. Here’s why investing in professional business IT support is one of the smartest decisions Fort Wayne businesses can make—and how working with SDTEK helps protect your operations, your data, and your reputation.