Think You’d Never Fall for a Phishing Scam? Think Again.
We’ve all been there, clicking on a headline that promises “You won’t believe what happened next” or getting sucked into a YouTube rabbit hole of irresistible clickbait. It’s easy to roll your eyes at influencers or ads that trick you into watching something you wouldn’t have chosen if you’d known the real content. But the truth is, it only takes one cleverly worded, well-timed email, whether promising something exciting or playing on fear, to make you click on something you shouldn’t.
The Rise of Phishing, Social Engineering, and Digital Scams
According to the UK Government’s Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2024, phishing remains the most common cyber threat facing businesses, with 84% of medium-sized firms and 91% of large organisations reporting attacks via phishing emails or other impersonation attempts.
Even on an individual level, the risks are high. Action Fraud reports that over £1 billion was lost to fraud and cybercrime in the UK in 2023, much of it involving convincing scams that impersonated trusted brands or colleagues.
Phishing isn’t just about dodgy emails from “Nigerian princes” anymore. Modern scams are sophisticated, well-researched, and targeted, sometimes even appearing to come from your own team or suppliers.
Why It Happens – And Why It Works
Many of today’s breaches don’t start with complex hacking tools. They start with someone clicking on a link, opening a fake invoice, or responding to a message that looks completely legitimate.
Cybercriminals use social engineering to exploit natural human behaviour, curiosity, urgency and helpfulness. They might impersonate a senior executive, a vendor chasing a payment, or a system alert urging immediate action.
And once they’re in? The consequences can be severe: from data breaches and reputational damage to full-scale operational shutdowns.
When Big Brands Are Targeted Too
The recent phishing attacks impersonating M&S are a clear reminder that even the most established, trusted brands are being targeted. And how did they pull off this attack? Human error. This serves as a stark reminder that even the most trusted household names aren’t immune, and if they’re being spoofed, so could you. Cybercriminals rely on brand familiarity and public trust to make their scams believable, which is exactly why vigilance is everyone’s responsibility. To read more about the M&S cyber attack, click here.
Our Cybersecurity Recommendations
In light of these developments, we advise all clients, regardless of industry, to proactively strengthen their cyber resilience by implementing the following best practices:
1. Strengthen Third-Party Risk Management
Ensure that all suppliers and service providers adhere to robust cybersecurity standards. Conduct regular audits and include clear security obligations in vendor contracts.
2. Enhance Employee Awareness and Training
Many breaches originate from human error. Routine cybersecurity awareness training is crucial in helping employees identify threats, such as phishing and social engineering.
Factotum offers tailored Cyber Security Awareness Training to help your teams stay vigilant and informed.
3. Implement Robust Incident Response Plans
Having a well-prepared incident response plan allows businesses to act swiftly and decisively when an attack occurs. Regularly review and test these plans to ensure they are effective under pressure.
4. Regularly Update and Patch Systems
Outdated systems are a common entry point for attackers. Keep all software and hardware fully updated with the latest patches and security fixes.
5. Monitor and Restrict Network Access
Limit system access based on roles and responsibilities, and implement real-time monitoring to detect suspicious activity before it escalates.
Final Thoughts
Falling for a phishing scam doesn’t make you foolish, it makes you human. That’s why prevention must be practical, not perfect. From frontline teams to senior leadership, everyone has a role to play in building a culture of cyber vigilance.
To discuss how Factotum can support your cybersecurity efforts and ensure your organisation is well protected, please get in touch.
