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Introduction
phishing
scam if it arrived in your inbox right now? In 2024, Kaspersky blocked more than 893 million phishing worldwide , a 26% increase compared to the previous year . The number is impressive, but what's truly worrying is how these attacks have become more convincing, silent, and difficult to detect.
This advancement reveals an urgent reality: phishing has ceased to be just a technical problem and has become a strategic threat to companies of all sizes. With approaches that exploit the human factor , cybercriminals target sensitive data, privileged access, and operational vulnerabilities—and often succeed with a single careless click.
In this article, we'll understand what phishing , how it manifests in everyday digital interactions, and what the first steps are to protect yourself effectively . After all, recognizing the bait is the first step to avoid falling for the scam.
Let's go!
Phishing : what it is and how it works
Not every digital threat begins with a line of code. Sometimes, it arrives as a email , an urgent SMS, or a message that seems too legitimate to raise suspicion. This is how phishing works: exploiting human behavior, everyday distractions, and overconfidence in digital interactions.
Phishing is a social engineering scam in which criminals impersonate trusted sources to deceive users and induce them to share confidential data (such as passwords, banking information, or access to corporate systems). The trap often comes disguised as legitimate communication: a notification from the bank, a password update request, or even a request to sign a contract, for example.
What makes this type of attack especially dangerous is its simplicity. It doesn't depend on sophisticated technical vulnerabilities. All it takes is for someone to click on the link , download a malicious file, or respond to a email .
As companies digitize more processes and data, phishing takes advantage of this expanding attack surface to target employees, suppliers, and even customers. As we will see below, it has many faces ; some more subtle, others extremely targeted.
phishing attack in practice and what are the signs that cannot be ignored.
phishing attack
phishing strategy is to appear legitimate, our biggest challenge lies in recognizing the detail that deviates from the norm . It is in this detail, often subtle, that the risk resides.
These attacks often hide in well-written messages, with recognizable logos and even email almost identical to the originals. But there is always a point of attention : a link with a strange domain, an urgent request out of context, or an alarmist tone that pressures for immediate action.
The secret to identifying an attack lies in developing a critical and constant eye . Before clicking, downloading, or responding, it's always worth asking yourself: "Does this request make sense now?", "Is there another way to validate this information?", "Does something seem out of place?".
More than suspecting everything, it's about adopting a posture of active attention , transforming the habit of checking into a new personal and corporate security protocol.
Now, let's learn about an even more sophisticated type of scam: spear phishing — personalized attacks that target specific individuals.
Spear phishing : the tailor-made scam
While phishing relies on quantity, spear phishing relies on precision . Instead of sending generic messages to thousands of people, cybercriminals target specific individuals , usually professionals with privileged access to systems or sensitive data.
The name comes from the analogy with fishing: while phishing is like casting a net into the sea hoping to catch something, spear phishing (literally "harpoon fishing") is a direct and personalized attack , like someone choosing the target and launching with precision.
This type of attack is meticulously planned. Before acting, scammers collect public and private information about the victim: names of colleagues, language patterns, work routine, company hierarchy. With this data in hand, they construct highly personalized communications that seem authentic because they actually speak to the real context of the person being addressed .
For example, imagine receiving an email from your finance director asking you to approve an urgent transfer, with details that only someone on your team would know. Or a request for access from a recurring partner, in an informal tone and without visible errors. Spear phishing exploits exactly this trust , and often manages to go unnoticed.
In corporate environments, this type of attack can be devastating. Just one click or careless response is enough for critical data to be compromised or unauthorized access to be granted. And worse: because the communication seems legitimate, the alert is often only triggered after the damage has already occurred .
Now that we understand how attacks can be targeted with surgical precision, it's time to explore another key piece of this puzzle: malware . They function as the operational arm of phishing , executing the scam after the victim takes the bait. Check it out!
The gateway: types of malware associated with phishing
When we talk about phishing , it's common to only imagine the communication scam: the email , the link , the disguised message. But what many don't realize is that behind this seemingly harmless facade lies a much more dangerous second stage: the silent installation of malware .
Malware is malicious software designed to perform actions without the user's consent . They function as true tools of invasion and sabotage, activated by an unintentional click or an automatically downloaded file.
In the context of phishing , malware enters the scene immediately after the bait is taken. From there, it begins to monitor, extract, or hijack information —and often does so invisibly.
Each type of malware has a specific purpose, and understanding their differences is the first step in recognizing how they amplify the impact of attacks. Here are the most common ones:
- Viruses : They infect legitimate files and replicate themselves, compromising the integrity of the system. Unlike other types of malware , they usually need to be activated by the user themselves, for example, by opening a contaminated attachment. A common example is a spreadsheet that, when executed, activates malicious macros that spread throughout the company's network.
- Spyware : operates silently, monitoring user behavior to steal information such as passwords, card numbers, and corporate data. For example: an employee downloads a "free PDF reader" that actually collects credentials typed throughout the day.
- Worms : These are malware that spread automatically across networks, exploiting security flaws without requiring any user interaction. Unlike viruses, which require a file to be manually executed, worms propagate on their own, infecting multiple devices in a chain reaction. For example, after a single click on a link , the threat silently spreads throughout the company's internal network, affecting workstations and servers.
- Trojans (or Trojan horses) : disguised as software , they open doors for attackers to remotely control systems or introduce other threats. For example: a pirated time and attendance system, installed as a test, allows hackers to access the organization's financial server;
- Ransomware : encrypts files and demands a ransom payment to return them. It is one of the most destructive types of malware . For example: after clicking on a "delivery confirmation" link ransomware that paralyzes all documents in the administrative area.
These malware programs phishing scams have also evolved beyond email , taking on new and dangerous forms of attack.
Phishing variations : new digital traps
Although email remains the most common gateway, phishing are not limited to the inbox. With the diversification of digital channels , scammers have begun to explore new surfaces, from telephone to SMS, including fake websites and messaging apps.
Despite the variations, the goal is always the same: to deceive the user with communication convincing enough to generate an impulsive action, such as clicking, replying, or reporting.
Below, we explore the most recurrent phishing beyond email , and how each one disguises itself in everyday digital life.
Vishing : voice scams
Imagine receiving a call with your full name, your bank details, and a professional tone on the other end of the line. That's how vishing presents itself. The name comes from the combination of " voice " and " phishing ," and represents an approach that exploits the natural trust in voice interactions .
In this type of scam, the criminal pretends to be someone trustworthy: a bank manager, a support technician, or even a representative of public agencies. The goal is to create a sense of urgency , leading the victim to reveal sensitive information or make transfers without time for reflection .
These calls are scripted, convincing, and often supported by real data obtained from previous leaks. Precisely for this reason, vishing has gained ground as a subtle but highly effective threat in the corporate environment .
Smishing : scams via SMS and messaging apps
Smishing phishing scams that occur via text messages . This includes not only traditional SMS, but also platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, and other instant messaging apps . The name comes from the combination of "SMS" and " phishing ," but its application today goes far beyond the original channel.
The common point among these approaches is their brevity and sense of urgency : scammers create short, impactful messages designed to induce the victim to click, provide information, or act without thinking.
Classic examples are warnings of account blocking, improper charges, or package releases. The link accompanying the message may lead to a fake page or activate the silent download malware . And because these channels still carry an appearance of trust, many people end up reacting before becoming suspicious.
In the corporate environment, the risk intensifies when mobile devices are used for two-factor authentication, internal communication, or access to sensitive systems. This makes smishing a real threat that needs to be recognized in all its forms , regardless of the application.
Malicious emails
Despite being the most well-known form, email phishing is far from outdated. On the contrary: the messages have evolved in design , language, and sophistication . Today, scammers create emails that are virtually identical to those of legitimate companies, with logos, signatures, and even domains similar to the real ones.
The trap is usually in the redirect link seemingly harmless attachment. A PDF, a spreadsheet, or a business proposal can contain malware or lead to pages that capture credentials.
What makes this format even more dangerous is its ability to deceive even experienced users , especially when the email makes sense within the workflow or replicates real company communications.
links and cloned pages
In a world where clicks are automatic, fake links take advantage of haste and distraction . A small error in the domain (such as “g00gle.com” instead of “google.com”) can be enough to lead the user into a well-crafted trap.
These cloned pages are visual copies of trusted websites e-commerce platforms , ERPs, and internal systems. They replicate buttons, colors, and even navigation flows to appear legitimate. But, by entering data, the user is handing over their credentials directly to the scammer.
This type of attack is common in more sophisticated phishing , where the email or SMS leads to an external page tailor-made to capture critical information.
These variations we have just seen make it clear that phishing is a problem with a broad surface: it infiltrates wherever there are gaps in attention, no matter the channel . For companies, this means that security does not depend solely on firewalls or automated systems. It depends, above all, on people prepared to recognize and react to threats before they become incidents.
In the next section, we'll show you how to turn this knowledge into practice — with accessible measures, support tools, and a safety culture that starts with the individual but protects the entire organization.
Best practices to protect yourself from phishing.
Unfortunately, there is no foolproof protection, but there is preparation . And when it comes to phishing , staying one step ahead of scammers means adopting a proactive preventative stance.
For companies, this starts with combining tools and processes with a security mindset disseminated at all levels. And for professionals, it means creating the habit of questioning before clicking, and confirming before trusting.
Below, we have gathered some essential measures that help mitigate risks and strengthen security against phishing in everyday corporate life.
Spam filter and two-step authentication (2FA)
Defense begins even before the message reaches you. Spam act as digital gatekeepers, blocking suspicious communications and drastically reducing exposure to risk.
But as phishing evolves and frequently bypasses filters, relying solely on this barrier is insufficient. That's where two-factor authentication, also known as 2FA ( Two-Factor Authentication ), comes in. It adds an extra verification step to the login (usually a code sent via SMS, email , or authenticator app), ensuring that even if the password is compromised, unauthorized access is not immediate.
This combination of intelligent filtering and double verification is one of the most accessible and effective ways to block the scam before it materializes.
Updated antivirus and security tools
Once the first line of defense is breached, it's time to reinforce the perimeter. A reliable antivirus is the foundation, but it becomes much more effective when working in conjunction with firewalls , intrusion detection systems (IDS), and traffic filters .
These tools operate as an active surveillance layer: they monitor behavior, block suspicious files, and real-time
alerts More than just protecting, these solutions need to be prepared to evolve along with the attacks . Keeping software and signatures updated is what allows for the identification of newly created malware
Password manager and security culture
Weak or repeated passwords are still one of the most exploited vulnerabilities by attackers. A password manager is a tool that helps create, store, and fill in complex passwords securely. This is also a good way to eliminate the habit of writing down combinations on paper or reusing old passwords.
But technology alone is not enough. True protection arises when security becomes part of the organizational culture. This means promoting continuous awareness , offering regular training , and reinforcing safe behaviors in daily life.
Phishing simulations email usage policies , and active internal communication about best practices make all the difference in transforming users into agents of defense, not points of vulnerability.
How Skyone strengthens digital security in companies
At Skyone , we don't see security as a separate product, but rather as an architectural principle . That is, an invisible component, but present in every line of code, in every integration, in every environment we help build.
Our role goes beyond protecting systems: it's about ensuring that innovation happens with confidence. We operate with an embedded security approach from the very beginning of projects —whether migrating to the cloud, integrating legacy systems, or using data in multi-cloud .
We combine automation , compliance , and intelligence to create structures that don't hinder growth, but support it. Because for us, security isn't about saying "no." It's about enabling "yes" responsibly.
If you're looking for safer ways to scale your technology operations, talk to a Skyone specialist today ! Together, we'll transform your challenges into structured solutions with end-to-end security.
Conclusion
Phishing scams are no longer a one-off or predictable threat: they are a recurring, sophisticated tactic integrated into the digital reality of companies.
Throughout this content, we've seen how these attacks adapt to multiple channels, exploit human vulnerabilities, and act with surgical precision to compromise data, systems, and operations.
More than just knowing the problem, it's important to create a preventative approach : combining tools, processes, and an attentive organizational culture capable of recognizing risk signs before they turn into incidents.
At Skyone , we believe that the right information at the right time also protects. That's why we continue to bring you content that connects security, technology, and transformation with depth and purpose.
To stay informed about these discussions and broaden your understanding of the challenges and solutions of the digital age, follow our blog ! And let's embark on this journey of knowledge and prevention together.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about phishing online scams
If you're looking for quick and reliable answers about phishing , you've come to the right place. In this section, we've compiled the most common questions about this type of cyberattack, and how to protect yourself practically in the digital and corporate environment.
Even amidst your daily routine, it's possible to adopt habits and tools that strengthen your security. Understand the essentials below.
What is phishing ?
Phishing is a digital fraud technique based on social engineering. In it, cybercriminals impersonate trustworthy people or institutions to deceive users and induce them to provide sensitive information, such as passwords, bank details, or corporate access credentials.
The approach can occur via email , phone, SMS, messaging apps, and even through fake pages that mimic websites .
How to avoid phishing ?
The best way to avoid phishing is to adopt a proactive and vigilant approach. This includes being wary of urgent messages, verifying senders and links before clicking, keeping security software - ).
Furthermore, it's crucial to foster a security culture within companies, with training, simulations, and clear channels for reporting suspicious activity. The combination of technology and awareness is what guarantees the most effective defense.
What are the types of phishing ?
The main types of phishing include:
- Phishing via email : the most traditional type, with disguised messages that induce clicks or the provision of data;
- Spear phishing : personalized attacks targeted at specific individuals, usually in corporate environments;
- Vishing : scams carried out via phone calls, impersonating legitimate institutions;
- Smishing : attempts at fraud via text messages, such as SMS, and messaging apps, such as WhatsApp and Telegram;
- links and cloned pages: URLs that visually mimic websites to steal data entered by users.
Each of these formats exploits human weaknesses and contexts of trust to carry out the scam.
