We teach children to look both ways before crossing the road — we should teach employees the same caution online. Phishing and malicious attachments are the “stranger danger” of the Internet: an email that looks legit can be the single click that opens a door to ransomware, data loss and costly downtime. Organisations can reduce risk dramatically by equipping people with simple, repeatable habits and the right protections.

Phishing is a fraudulent email or message designed to trick people into clicking links or opening attachments that install malware or steal credentials. One careless click can allow attackers to deploy ransomware or access sensitive company data.

Don’t click: how phishing works

Cyber criminals impersonate trusted organisations or colleagues, craft urgent requests, or hide malicious links in seemingly normal documents. The attack chain is often short: a convincing message → one click or opened attachment → malware executes → attackers escalate access or encrypt files. That single step is why “stranger danger online” is so effective.

Ransomware attacks unleash havoc

When malware runs on one device it can move laterally across a network, encrypting files and disrupting operations. Recovery can be lengthy and expensive; backups, endpoint protection and incident response plans reduce harm, but stopping the initial click is the most cost‑efficient defence.

Look both ways: how to spot phishing — 5 quick checks

  • Check the sender address (does it match the organisation, not just the display name?).
  • Hover over links to view the real URL before clicking.
  • Don’t open unexpected attachments — confirm with the sender first.
  • Watch for urgent language, threats or inconsistent tone and spelling.
  • Verify payment or credential requests with a separate call to the sender.

How to help employees become cyber‑smart

  1. Train: regular, bite‑sized awareness sessions that explain phishing examples and reporting steps.
  2. Test: run simulated phishing campaigns and give immediate feedback to anyone who clicks.
  3. Enforce: use technical controls (MFA, endpoint protection) and clear reporting routes so staff act quickly.

Joint responsibilities — people, process, products

Security is everyone’s job. Employees need awareness and reporting channels; managers must model safe behaviour and enforce policies; IT should deploy prevention tools and run simulated exercises. Combine behaviour change with product protections like phishing simulations and endpoint defences to lower organisational risk.

A quick tip on reporting and response

If you suspect an email is phishing: don’t click the link, screenshot the message, forward it to your IT security team (or quarantine it), and change exposed passwords if you believe credentials were entered. Rapid reporting shortens the mean time to detect and contain costly threats.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is a phishing email?
    A phishing email impersonates a trusted sender to trick recipients into revealing credentials or opening malware‑bearing attachments.
  2. How can one click cause a ransomware attack?
    A malicious attachment or link can install malware that encrypts files and spreads across a network, forcing an organisation to restore from backups or pay a ransom.
  3. How do I spot a phishing email?
    Check the sender address, hover links to see the real URL, avoid unexpected attachments, watch for urgency or greedy requests, and verify with the sender if unsure.
  4. What should employees do if they suspect phishing?
    Do not click; report the message to your security or IT team, quarantine the email if possible, and change any potentially exposed passwords.
  5. Are simulated phishing campaigns effective?
    Yes — regular simulations with immediate, contextual training reduce click rates and reinforce safer online behaviour.
  6. What is multi‑factor authentication (MFA) and why use it?
    MFA requires an extra verification step (e.g. SMS or authenticator app) beyond a password and greatly reduces the chance of account takeover.
  7. How often should employees receive cyber awareness training?
    At minimum quarterly refreshers plus just‑in‑time micro‑learning after simulations; frequent reinforcement keeps awareness high.