Phishing Scams Explained: How to Spot Them and Protect Your Team

By , Owner, PDX Information Technology Services

Last updated:

Phishing is when an attacker pretends to be someone you trust in order to get you to click a link, open a file, give up a password or send money. It remains one of the most common ways businesses are compromised because it targets people rather than software.

Common types

  • Fake login pages: a message that appears to be from Microsoft 365, a bank or a shipping company.
  • Business email compromise: a message that looks like it came from an executive or vendor asking for a payment or a change in bank details.
  • Invoice and document lures: attachments or links that install malware or capture credentials.
  • Text and phone versions: smishing and voice scams follow the same pattern.

Warning signs to teach

  • Urgency, threats or unusual secrecy.
  • A sender address that is slightly off, or a reply-to that does not match.
  • A request that changes how money is normally sent.
  • Links whose real destination differs from the text when you hover over them.

Controls that reduce the risk

Email filtering, multi-factor authentication, restricted admin rights and up-to-date endpoint protection all limit what a successful phish can do. A rule that payment changes are always confirmed by phone, using a number you already have, stops a lot of fraud.

Train, then test

Short, regular training and simulated phishing messages help staff build good habits. Platinum plans include staff security training and stronger email and phishing protection.

Related reading

Talk to a local team

PDX Information Technology Services provides managed IT, cybersecurity and compliance support for small businesses in Portland, Lake Oswego, Beaverton, Hillsboro and Vancouver, WA. Plans start at $100 per user per month (Gold) and $180 per user per month (Platinum). Call 971-331-4871 or book a free assessment.

Request an IT assessment

Tell us a little about your business and a PDX IT team member will follow up to schedule an assessment. Prefer to talk? Call 971-331-4871.

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Steve Shaff, owner of PDX Information Technology Services

About the author: Steve Shaff

Steve Shaff is the owner of PDX Information Technology Services, a managed IT provider he founded in 2020. From the Tualatin office he helps businesses across Portland Metro & Southwest Washington with IT support, cybersecurity and compliance. More about Steve ยท Contact PDX IT

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