NSBA PARTNER | How to Outsmart Today’s Phishing Attacks with ESET Digital Security

Think you can spot a phishing email? You might be surprised.

Phishing scams are more convincing than ever, and even the most tech-savvy among us can fall for them. According to ESET’s WeLiveSecurity blog, phishing emails often impersonate well-known brands, mimic internal company communications, or exploit current events to increase their believability. And with the rise of AI-generated content, these scams are only getting harder to detect.

Phishing: Still Hooking Victims After All These Years

Phishing is not a new threat, but it is constantly evolving. Cybercriminals are continually improving their tactics by creating emails that appear to come from trusted brands, colleagues, or even your bank. These messages often include urgent requests, along with malicious links or attachments designed to steal your credentials or install malware.

Despite increased awareness, phishing remains one of the most successful cyberattack methods. Why? Because it targets the human element; our curiosity, our trust, and sometimes, our stress.

What Makes Phishing So Effective?

Phishing works because it targets human behavior. Attackers use urgency, fear, or curiosity to bypass your critical thinking. The video highlights several tactics used in phishing emails:

• Spoofed sender addresses that look nearly identical to legitimate ones.

• Urgent language like “Your account will be locked” or “Immediate action required.”

• Fake login pages that mimic real websites to steal your credentials.

• Emotional manipulation, such as pretending to be a colleague in distress.

Phishing attacks are successful not because of advanced technology, but because they take advantage of human psychology. The ESET quiz and video highlight several common tactics used by attackers: they often use spoofed sender addresses that closely resemble real domains, employ urgent or threatening language such as “Your account will be locked,” and create fake login pages that appear identical to legitimate ones. Some messages provoke curiosity or fear, while others manipulate emotions by pretending to be a colleague in distress or referencing a recent invoice or document. These tactics prompt quick reactions, causing individuals to click without thinking critically.

Train Your Team to Outsmart Phishers

Phishing is a threat to individuals and organizations alike. That’s why ESET offers Cybersecurity Awareness Training (ECAT)—a comprehensive, interactive program designed to educate employees on phishing, social engineering, password hygiene, and more.

Whether you're a small business or a large enterprise, ECAT helps build a culture of security from the inside out.

Start your training today with ECAT.