Let’s go over the four most common types of attacks law firms face.
1. Law firm ransomware
Ransomware can get in through a phishing email or a remote access point with weak credentials. Once inside, the ransomware encrypts case files and client records. Then, threat actors demand a fee (ransom) to give back the files.
Unfortunately, this threat style is evolving. Now, attackers steal data and threaten to leak or sell your information rather than encrypting it. But even if you pay the ransom or restore data from backup, there’s no guarantee the data will stay private.
Law firms are at a high risk for this type of attack. A recent survey of public incidents found a record 45 ransomware attacks that added up to roughly 1.5M legal records.
2. Phishing & business email compromise
Phishing and business email compromise (BEC) create issues for law firms. Emails carry client messages and sensitive personal details, and attackers know how to pressure busy staff into clicking a fake link or opening a malicious attachment.
The goal is simple: Steal credentials, get into an email account, and use that access to snag valuable information. What starts as a simple mistake turns into fraud or data exposure. The Robinhood data breach is a good example of this—through social engineering, attackers exploited one employee and compromised millions of records.
3. Lost devices & weak endpoint controls
Lost, unencrypted, or unmanaged devices can quietly expose sensitive data. A misplaced laptop or phone may give attackers access to client files, firm emails, or cloud accounts. When staff work on their personal device or remotely, endpoints are harder to secure and manage, increasing the risk of a breach.
4. IT impersonation & messaging attacks
Threat actors now use messaging platforms like Microsoft Teams to manipulate their victims. Recently, Microsoft Threat Intelligence reported threat actors imitating help desk or IT support in Teams. By posing as a helpful point of contact, attackers gain employees’ trust and manipulate them into willingly giving up their credentials.
