We are NOT kidding! Studies continually show that phishing is responsible for 90% of cyberattacks. Threat actors use deceptive emails, fake login pages, and social engineering tricks to lure employees into clicking malicious links, downloading malware, or handing over credentials and sensitive data.

Once they’re in, it’s game over, because phishing is a launchpad for:

• Ransomware infections

• Business email compromise (BEC) scams

• Login credential theft

• Network breaches

• Financial fraud

Phishing gives attackers a foothold into your systems, and from there, they can move laterally, exfiltrate data, or trigger larger attacks.

Simply put, one phishing incident can ruin a business at the drop of a hat. If you’re not actively preventing phishing attacks, you’re dancing really close to the edge.

Yup, they sure do—email remains the top delivery method for cyber attacks. From malicious attachments and fake invoices to urgent requests from your “CEO” and sneaky credential harvesting scams, 75% of all cyber incidents start with a deceptive email. And threat actors are only getting more creative, often blending psychological manipulation with cutting-edge tech to fool even the most vigilant users.

Here are the most infamous tactics cybercriminals use when it comes to phishing emails:

• Spear phishing: Ultra-targeted and personally tailored to a creepy degree—employees are tricked into sharing sensitive information. Attackers research their targets to make emails look shockingly authentic.

• Malware-laced attachments: Like contaminated meat that sends diners to the hospital and shuts down the whole restaurant, intentionally infected PDFs, Word docs, and Excel files unleash chaos with just one click. These files can install ransomware, spyware, or backdoors without the user ever realizing it.

Credential-stealing links: Deployed by true masters of deception, employees believe a login page is legitimate and surrender their credentials with just a few keystrokes. Some of these fake sites are near-perfect replicas, making them incredibly easy to fall for—even for IT pros.

We wish we were making this up, but yes. Research shows that 91% of cyberattacks start with a phishing email.

And the worst part? Most cybercriminals don’t stop at one employee—they play the long game. They secretly ransack inboxes, steal credentials and data, and escalate their operations over time. These lateral moves across your network allow them to dig their claws deep into your systems and set the stage for larger breaches.

Once inside, attackers often remain undetected for weeks or even months, quietly mapping your environment and waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

Cybercriminals patiently wait for that one catastrophic click to unleash chaos. And they don’t discriminate either—from small, mid-sized, and enterprise companies to government agencies, every business and institution is a target.

In 2024, there was no indication that phishing would slow down. If anything, it’s getting worse. 

• It’s estimated that a staggering 3.4 billion phishing emails are sent daily worldwide. (Yes, that’s billion with a B.)

• Businesses experienced a 150% year-over-year increasein spear phishing attacks. 

• Over 90% of businesses globally experienced a phishing attack in 2024. 

• More than 80% of all reported security breachesinvolve phishing. 

Phishing has evolved into a relentless, global threat that shows no signs of fading. Attackers now operate with near-professional efficiency, mimicking real brands, spoofing executives, and adapting quickly to new security measures.

Cybercriminals aren’t slowing down, and worse yet, with all that practice, they’re getting craftier by the minute. By leveraging AI-generated content and deepfake technology, phishing emails are getting harder and harder to detect.

Phishing scams are more convincing than ever, but Huntress is staying one step ahead.

Your business doesn’t have to be another statistic. The best defense? Security awareness training that actually works.

Huntress’ Security Awareness Training teaches employees how to recognize phishing attempts, report suspicious emails, and avoid falling for cybercriminals’ tricks. Unlike traditional, boring training sessions, we know how to teach your people in ways that are engaging, relevant, and effective—because stopping phishing attacks requires more than just theory. It requires action.

Want to see how Huntress helps businesses fight back against phishing? Check out our Security Awareness Training today.