Find Out How to Avoid Becoming a Victim of Phishing
Simple, real-world advice to keep your business secure
If you’re a small business owner or decision-maker, here’s something you need to hear: phishing attacks are no longer just an IT issue—they’re a business risk.
And no, phishing isn't about catching fish—it's about tricking people (maybe even someone on your team) into handing over sensitive information, passwords, or even direct access to your systems. I've seen it happen, and trust me: the damage can be costly, both financially and reputationally.
Let’s break it down, without the tech jargon, so you can protect your business before it’s too late.
What Is Phishing—And Why Should You Care?
Phishing is when a cybercriminal pretends to be someone trustworthy—like a supplier, bank, or even your own team—to trick you into clicking a bad link, opening a fake invoice, or entering login details on a fake website.
For example:
You get an email that looks like it’s from Xero or Microsoft 365, asking you to “confirm your login.”
Your finance person receives a message that looks like it’s from you, asking them to urgently pay an invoice.
A staff member clicks on a "resume" attachment that installs malware on your network.
All it takes is one click. That’s how fast these attacks can compromise your data or systems.
Why Small Businesses Are Prime Targets
Many small businesses think, “We’re too small for hackers to care about us.” Unfortunately, that’s what makes you a target.
Hackers know that smaller companies often:
Don’t have dedicated cybersecurity resources
Use simple or shared passwords
Rely on email for most communications
Haven’t trained staff on what phishing looks like
If that sounds like your business, you’re not alone—and you're not helpless either.
How to Avoid Becoming a Victim
1. Educate Your Team—Often
The number one defense is awareness. Regularly train your staff to spot:
Suspicious email addresses
Unexpected attachments or links
Urgent or threatening language
Emails with odd grammar or formatting
Pro tip: If something feels “off,” it probably is.
2. Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
This is a game-changer. Even if a password gets stolen, MFA requires a second layer of verification—like a phone code—to log in. It's quick to set up and blocks most phishing attempts from causing damage.
3. Protect Your Email Systems
Make sure your email platform has built-in spam and phishing filters—and that they’re actually turned on. Many platforms like Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace offer robust protection, but it needs to be configured properly.
4. Implement a Password Manager
Staff shouldn't be using the same password across multiple systems. A password manager can help generate and store secure, unique logins for every tool your team uses.
5. Back Up Your Data—Regularly
If something does go wrong, having clean, up-to-date backups could be the difference between a minor hiccup and a business shutdown.
6. Partner with an IT Provider
Look, you’ve got a business to run. If staying on top of phishing threats and IT security isn’t your full-time job (and it shouldn’t be), bring in someone who can keep an eye on things for you.
Final Thoughts from the Field
I’ve worked with many small businesses that came to us after an incident. Some caught it early. Others weren’t so lucky—one click cost them thousands.
The truth is, phishing attacks are getting smarter. But with the right knowledge, tools, and support, your team can be even smarter.
If you’re not sure how well protected your business is, or want to run a quick phishing risk check, let’s talk. It might be the most important conversation you have this month.
Need help training your team or reviewing your security setup?
We’re here to make IT simple, secure, and stress-free—so you can focus on running your business, not dodging cyber traps.
