Phishing attacks continue to evolve, and small businesses are experiencing increasingly sophisticated attacks. Here's what we're seeing in early 2026 and how to protect yourself.
Current Trends
AI-Generated Phishing Emails
Attackers are using AI to create more convincing phishing emails. These messages have fewer grammatical errors and can mimic writing styles more effectively.
Multi-Stage Attacks
Rather than immediately asking for credentials, attackers are building rapport over multiple emails before making their request.
Targeted Spear Phishing
Attackers research their targets extensively, creating highly personalized emails that reference real projects, colleagues, or events.
Callback Phishing
Emails that ask you to call a phone number rather than click a link. The caller then social engineers the victim into installing remote access software.
Most Common Phishing Lures
- Microsoft 365 credential harvesting—Fake login pages to steal email credentials
- Invoice and payment fraud—Fake invoices or requests to update payment information
- Shipping notifications—Fake delivery notices from UPS, FedEx, and Amazon
- HR-related emails—Fake policy updates, benefit changes, or payroll issues
- Tech support scams—Fake alerts about account problems or security issues
Warning Signs
- Unexpected urgency or pressure to act quickly
- Requests that bypass normal business processes
- Slight misspellings in domain names (example.corn instead of example.com)
- Generic greetings instead of your name
- Links that don't match the displayed text (hover to check)
- Requests for sensitive information via email
Protection Measures
Technical
- Enable multi-factor authentication on all accounts
- Use email filtering with phishing protection
- Implement DMARC, SPF, and DKIM
- Keep software and browsers updated
Procedural
- Verify unexpected requests through a different channel
- Never provide credentials in response to an email
- Report suspicious emails to IT or your security provider
- Have clear procedures for financial transactions
Training
- Regular security awareness training
- Simulated phishing exercises to test and train employees
- Clear reporting procedures for suspicious messages
What to Do If You Clicked
- Don't panic—Quick action can limit damage
- Change passwords immediately—For any accounts that may be affected
- Enable or verify MFA—Add another layer of protection
- Report the incident—To your IT team or security provider
- Monitor accounts—Watch for unusual activity
Stay Informed
Phishing tactics change constantly. Stay updated on current threats and ensure your security measures evolve with them.
*We monitor threats targeting small businesses and proactively update protections for our clients. Contact us to learn how our email security and website protection services can help protect your business.*