Phishing remains one of the most common and effective cyberattacks impacting businesses today. At BDK Inc., our security team responds to phishing attempts more frequently than any other type of incident. While phishing tactics evolve, the goal stays the same: trick users into handing over sensitive information such as login credentials, MFA codes, financial data, or access to internal systems.
In this post, we’ll break down what phishing is, how attackers execute these schemes, a real-world example of how one click led to a compromise, and the steps your organization can take to reduce risk.
What Is Phishing?
Phishing is a digital deception tactic in which a scammer pretends to be someone trustworthy—like a bank, retailer, coworker, or software provider—in order to steal valuable information. Attackers often use email, though phishing attempts may also appear by text message (smishing), phone call (vishing), or through fake websites designed to mimic legitimate login pages.
Phishing works because attackers capitalize on trust: trust in brands, trust in coworkers, and trust in the systems we use every day.
A Real-Life Example: How One Employee Was Tricked
Picture this scenario: employee Drew received what appeared to be a legitimate email from his manager, Brandon. The email claimed a training document was available and provided a link to view it. Since Brandon normally handles training assignments—and their company uses Microsoft 365 for file sharing—the email seemed expected and trustworthy.
Here’s what happened next:
- Drew clicked the link.
- He was brought to what looked like a standard Microsoft “Verify Your Identity” page.
- The page included Microsoft and company branding, making it appear legitimate.
- Drew entered his username, password, and MFA code.
- After submitting his information, a training itinerary downloaded—making the entire interaction feel routine.
Unfortunately, the page wasn’t real. His credentials and MFA code went straight to the attacker.
How Attackers Pulled It Off
This type of phishing attack is simple but highly effective:
- The attacker recreated a file‑sharing email template.
- The link led to a fake verification screen that mimicked Microsoft’s design.
- Once Drew entered his credentials, the attacker immediately gained access.
- MFA didn’t help in this scenario because Drew handed over the MFA code directly.
Even subtle familiarity—such as a recognizable name or a branded login page—can lead users to let their guard down.
What Attackers Do After Gaining Access
Once inside a user’s account, attackers may:
- Check whether the user has administrative permissions
- Create backdoor access (new admin accounts, app passwords, OAuth apps)
- Set malicious inbox rules (auto-forwarding, hiding messages)
- Steal emails, calendars, and contacts
- Download OneDrive or SharePoint data
- Launch additional attacks from inside the organization
A single compromised account can quickly become a company‑wide threat.
How Cleanup Works
When an account is compromised, immediate action is critical. The recovery process typically includes:
- Containing the Breach- Your IT admin will take sole control of your account to reset passwords, revoke active sessions, and enforce MFA.
- Removing Attacker Persistence- Your IT admin will search for and delete unauthorized inbox rules, remove malicious OAuth applications, and disable suspicious accounts created by the attacker.
- Assessing the Damage- Your IT admin will review sign‑in logs, trace sent emails, analyze message routing and forwarding, and identify files accessed or downloaded.
How to Prevent Phishing Attacks
While no organization can eliminate phishing risk entirely, you can significantly reduce it. Here are BDK’s top recommendations:
Be cautious with email content
- Never open links or attachments unless you are expecting them.
- Verify the sender’s email address—not just the name.
- Check that the domain matches what you expect.
- When in doubt, use a third-party device to confirm legitimacy (e.g., call them on their cellphone). If their computer has been compromised, sending them an email or Teams message from there could be intercepted by the hacker.
Use the SLAM Method
A quick way to assess email legitimacy:
- Senders: Do you know them? Does the email address look right?
- Links: Hover before clicking—where does it go?
- Attachments: Were you expecting them?
- Message: Is the tone or request unusual?
Strengthen Your Technical Defenses
- Implement robust spam filters
- Use threat detection software
- Keep software and hardware updated
- Regularly back up your data
- Add outbound email banners for external communication
- Educate employees frequently—training is one of the most effective defenses
Final Thoughts
Cybersecurity isn’t something you can “set and forget.” Phishing attacks continue to evolve, and organizations must stay proactive. Investing in the right tools and consistent employee training can dramatically reduce your risk.
If your business lacks the time or resources to maintain an effective cybersecurity strategy, partnering with a managed cybersecurity provider can ensure you stay protected without the operational burden.
Learn more about how you can prevent phishing attacks and protect your business with a comprehensive cybersecurity plan here.