How to Recognise and Avoid Phishing Attacks

Phishing isn’t new, but it’s evolving - fast. What used to look like dodgy emails from imaginary princes now mimics your HR manager, your bank, even your internal systems. One click and you’ve opened the door to malware, data theft, or a very awkward call to IT. We know the basics - “don’t click suspicious links” - but the reality is trickier. Today’s scams are smart, subtle, and weirdly convincing. Recognising them requires more than just caution; it requires a culture of awareness, curiosity, and communication.

So, What Exactly Is Phishing?

At its core, phishing is psychological manipulation. Cybercriminals use emails, texts, or fake websites to trick people into revealing information - login credentials, payment details, sensitive data. It’s called “phishing” because they’re literally fishing for victims. And unfortunately, someone always bites. These scams thrive on urgency, authority, and familiarity. A fake invoice marked “overdue.” A message from the “CEO” asking for a quick favour. Even a fake Microsoft login screen that looks identical to the real one. They prey on human instinct: help, hurry, comply.

How to Spot the Signs

Phishing emails rarely scream “danger”. They whisper it. Look for inconsistencies: an email address that’s off by a single character, a slightly wrong logo, grammar that feels just a bit… odd. The tone might be pushy - “urgent action required!” - or oddly casual from someone who’s usually formal. Pay attention to links too: hover (don’t click) and check the URL. If it looks strange, it probably is. Some attacks are ridiculously sophisticated, so we’re not saying you’ll always spot them. But awareness isn’t about perfection - it’s about probability. The more you question, the less likely you are to fall for it.

Different Flavours of Phishing (and Why They Work)

There’s spear phishing, which targets specific individuals - think executives or finance staff - using personal info gathered from social media. Then there’s smishing (SMS phishing) and vishing (voice phishing), where scammers call or text pretending to be from support teams or delivery companies. Some even use clone phishing, duplicating a legitimate email thread and inserting a malicious attachment. It’s creative, if nothing else. Why does it work so well? Because the line between personal and professional digital life has blurred. People use the same devices for work and home, meaning a single click during lunch can compromise an entire system.

Training Without the Yawn Factor

Let’s be honest - most cybersecurity training is a chore. Too many slides, too little relevance. To change behaviour, you need learning that feels alive. Make phishing awareness practical and continuous: simulated phishing emails, quick video explainers, micro-challenges that reward sharp eyes. A one-off workshop won’t shift habits, but small, frequent nudges will. Keep it light, even fun. Gamification might sound buzzwordy, but it works. People remember what makes them laugh or think, not what makes them groan.

Building a Reporting Culture

The best employees aren’t the ones who never make mistakes. They’re the ones who speak up quickly when they do. Yet so many phishing incidents go unreported because people fear looking foolish. That silence costs companies millions. The fix? Normalize reporting. Treat every report - even false alarms - as a win. Reinforce that it’s better to flag something harmless than ignore something harmful. When people know they won’t be blamed, they’re more likely to act fast. A strong cybersecurity culture thrives on transparency, not perfection.

Phishing and Remote Work - A Dangerous Duo

Hybrid work has opened new doors for attackers. Home Wi-Fi networks are less secure, personal devices slip into professional use, and isolation makes verification harder. A message that might raise eyebrows in the office goes unchecked at home. Encourage teams to double-check suspicious messages through official channels - or, you know, actually talk to the person before transferring funds. It sounds simple, but human confirmation beats any filter.

Technology Helps - But It’s Not Everything

Spam filters, link scanners, and endpoint protection all do good work behind the scenes, but they’re not foolproof. Attackers constantly evolve their tactics, often faster than software updates can catch up. That’s why culture matters so much. You can’t automate common sense. Teach people to slow down, question, and think critically. The goal isn’t paranoia; it’s mindfulness. Phishing preys on autopilot behaviour - those moments when we click before thinking. Training people to pause, even for a second, can stop an entire breach.

The Cost of Getting It Wrong

Phishing isn’t just a “tech issue.” The consequences can be catastrophic - financial loss, data leaks, reputational damage, regulatory fines. And it’s rarely a one-off event. Once scammers know your people are susceptible, they’ll keep coming back. The fallout often stretches far beyond IT. Communications teams deal with backlash, HR deals with panic, and trust across the business takes a hit. Prevention is always cheaper - and less humiliating - than recovery.

Empathy Over Blame

We talk a lot about “human error” as if people are the weakest link. But maybe they’re just the least supported. Everyone makes mistakes; the question is whether your environment helps them learn or punishes them for it. Cybersecurity isn’t about perfection - it’s about resilience. Equip people with tools, knowledge, and confidence, and you’ll watch fear turn into vigilance. When the goal shifts from blame to awareness, security becomes something people want to engage with.

A Final Thought

Phishing attacks will keep getting smarter. AI makes it easier to clone voices, mimic writing styles, even generate fake videos. Technology alone can’t keep up. What will keep you safe is people - informed, alert, empowered people who question before they click. Make security a shared conversation, not an annual compliance box. Connect it to real work, real risks, and real responsibility. The strongest defence isn’t a firewall. It’s a workforce that cares enough to look twice. Because, honestly, that’s what saves you in the end.

If you’re looking to deepen that awareness across teams, consider consultancy support for staff wellbeing - because people who feel valued, supported, and connected are always more switched-on. They notice. They question. And in cybersecurity, those tiny pauses can make all the difference.