Common Phishing Attacks That Bypass Default Email Protection

Business email compromise (BEC)

Business email compromise attacks typically involve impersonating trusted individuals such as executives, suppliers, or colleagues.

Examples include:

• Requests to change payment details
• Urgent payment instructions
• Requests for sensitive information
• Impersonation of senior leadership

These attacks rely on urgency and trust.

Credential harvesting attacks

Attackers frequently attempt to capture login credentials through fake login pages.

Common scenarios include:

• Fake Microsoft login alerts
• Shared document notifications
• Password reset prompts
• Fake collaboration invites

Users may unknowingly provide credentials on fraudulent pages.

Malicious links disguised as legitimate services

Links may appear to lead to familiar services but redirect to malicious websites.

Examples include:

• Fake file sharing notifications
• Cloud storage access requests
• Secure document portals
• Electronic signature requests

Attackers often use newly registered domains to avoid detection.

Compromised supplier email accounts

Attackers may gain access to legitimate email accounts belonging to suppliers or partners.

Emails sent from compromised accounts may appear highly credible.

Common scenarios include:

• Invoice updates
• Payment detail changes
• Ongoing conversation hijacking

Because the sender is legitimate, these emails can be difficult to detect.

Reducing phishing risk

Reducing phishing exposure typically involves:

• Improving email threat detection
• Educating users on suspicious signals
• Implementing layered security controls
• Monitoring unusual communication patterns

Combining technical controls with awareness improves resilience.

Conclusion

Phishing attacks continue to evolve and increasingly rely on social engineering techniques.

Understanding common attack patterns helps organisations evaluate whether additional protective measures are appropriate.