You Got Phished: Here's What Happens

Business email compromise (BEC) is a form of phishing where attackers impersonate high-ranking individuals, such as executives or department heads, to manipulate employees into responding or taking action. These emails are often simple and vague, using phrases like “Are you available?” or “Quick favor needed.” The goal is to create urgency and exploit workplace hierarchy and trust. In the rush of a busy workday, employees may respond without verifying the sender, especially if the name and email domain appear legitimate. Once engaged, the attacker may request sensitive data, initiate wire transfers, or gain access to internal systems. According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), BEC scams caused over $2.7 billion in reported losses in 2022 alone, making them one of the costliest forms of phishing.

These attacks are difficult to detect because they rely on social engineering rather than malware or suspicious links. They exploit psychological cues, familiar names, urgency, and minimal content to bypass traditional email security filters. Training users to pause and verify unfamiliar or high-pressure requests is critical. Organizations should implement protocols requiring secondary verification for financial or sensitive requests, such as calling the sender directly or confirming through secure communication channels. Multi-factor authentication, domain monitoring, and user awareness programs can also help detect and prevent BEC attacks. As emphasized by Proofpoint (2023), empowering users with real-life examples and decision-making strategies is essential in stopping these personalized, high-impact phishing attempts.

References:

• FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). (2023). Internet Crime Report 2022. Retrieved from: https://www.ic3.gov/Media/PDF/AnnualReport/2022_IC3Report.pdf

• Proofpoint. (2023). State of the Phish Report. Retrieved from: https://www.proofpoint.com/us/resources/threat-reports/state-of-phish

If you clicked on a phishing email, the most important thing to remember is to stay calm. Phishing attacks are designed to trick even tech-savvy users, and it doesn’t mean you failed. Reacting with panic, such as discovering that you may have fallen for a phishing attempt, can be stressful, but acting calmly and quickly is essential. The first step is to stop engaging with the message immediately. Do not click any further links or download attachments. If you entered your credentials or other sensitive information, immediately report the incident to your IT or security team. They can help reset your passwords, check for unauthorized access, and begin containment steps. Delaying your response can give attackers more time to misuse your information or spread the attack internally. According to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), early reporting is one of the most effective ways to limit the impact of phishing attacks.

It’s important to understand that mistakes happen, even to cybersecurity professionals. Phishing messages are designed to trick, pressure, and manipulate. That’s why creating a workplace culture that encourages prompt reporting without shame or punishment is vital. The quicker an attack is reported, the sooner the threat can be neutralized. Regular training, incident response simulations, and clear reporting procedures empower employees to act without fear. As emphasized in the Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report (2023), human error plays a role in many breaches. However, how quickly the error is detected and addressed often determines the overall damage.

References:

• Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). (2022). Avoiding Social Engineering and Phishing Attacks. Retrieved from: https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/news/avoiding-social-engineering-and-phishing-attacks

• Verizon. (2023). Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR). Retrieved from: https://www.verizon.com/business/resources/reports/dbir/

If you suspect you’ve received, or fallen for, a phishing message, the most important step is to report it immediately to your organization’s IT or cybersecurity team. Quick reporting allows security professionals to assess the situation, limit damage, and prevent attacks from spreading to others. For example, if a phishing email is sent to multiple employees, the IT team can block the sender, warn other staff, and monitor for signs of compromise. According to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), timely reporting can drastically reduce the impact of phishing incidents by enabling early containment and response.

Many organizations provide dedicated phishing reporting tools, such as a “Report Phishing” button in email clients or internal hotlines for security concerns. Employees should be trained to use these channels when something seems suspicious, even if unsure. As emphasized in the Proofpoint State of the Phish Report (2023), organizations that promote easy and non-punitive reporting processes experience faster threat mitigation and better overall cybersecurity posture. Creating a culture where employees are encouraged to speak up helps transform them from potential security risks into active defenders.

References:

• Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). (2022). Avoiding Social Engineering and Phishing Attacks. Retrieved from: https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/news/avoiding-social-engineering-and-phishing-attacks

• Proofpoint. (2023). State of the Phish Report. Retrieved from: https://www.proofpoint.com/us/resources/threat-reports/state-of-phish

If you suspect a message is a phishing attempt, it’s important not to delete it immediately. While your instinct may be to eliminate the threat, preserving the original message is essential for investigation and response. Cybersecurity teams must often analyze the full email, including headers, sender information, embedded links, and attachments, to trace the source, assess the risk, and block similar threats. According to the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), keeping the email intact allows for faster and more effective containment, especially if the phishing campaign has targeted multiple users in the organization.

Similarly, it’s important not to run antivirus scans alone, especially if you clicked on a suspicious link or downloaded a file. Scans can sometimes disrupt forensic efforts or fail to catch advanced threats that require deeper inspection. Instead, disconnect from the network (if instructed), stop interacting with the suspicious content, and alert your IT or cybersecurity team. They may run specialized tools to assess whether malware was installed or if system changes occurred. As emphasized in the SANS Institute’s Phishing Incident Response Plan, properly handling suspicious content helps preserve digital evidence, enabling a more accurate and effective response.

 References:

• National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). (2022). Phishing: How to Report and Handle Suspicious Emails. Retrieved from: https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/guidance/suspicious-email-actions

• SANS Institute. (2023). Phishing Incident Response: Plan, Detect, and React. Retrieved from: https://www.sans.org

If a suspicious email or message appears from someone inside your organization, like a colleague, manager, or executive, verifying the source before responding or taking action is critical. Attackers often spoof internal email addresses or hijack real accounts to make their messages seem trustworthy. These phishing attempts, especially common in Business Email Compromise (BEC) attacks, may ask for urgent favors, sensitive data, or financial transactions. According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Report (2023), BEC schemes are among the most financially damaging cybercrimes, with attackers frequently posing as senior staff to pressure employees into complying without hesitation.

To verify authenticity, don’t reply to the suspicious message directly. Instead, contact the sender through a separate, trusted channel, such as a phone call, text, or secure internal messaging platform. If you’re unsure whether it’s safe to engage, forward the message to your IT or cybersecurity team for review. Many organizations now train employees to adopt a “trust, but verify” mindset, particularly when internal requests seem unusual or poorly worded. As emphasized by CISA and Proofpoint, verifying requests through independent methods is a simple but powerful defense against internal impersonation attacks.

References:

• FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). (2023). Internet Crime Report 2022. Retrieved from: https://www.ic3.gov/Media/PDF/AnnualReport/2022_IC3Report.pdf

• Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). (2022). Avoiding Social Engineering and Phishing Attacks. Retrieved from: https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/news/avoiding-social-engineering-and-phishing-attacks

• Proofpoint. (2023). State of the Phish Report. Retrieved from: https://www.proofpoint.com/us/resources/threat-reports/state-of-phish

Once you’ve reported a suspected phishing message, it’s important to let your organization’s cybersecurity team handle the next steps. Trained professionals will analyze the message for malicious indicators, determine whether other users received the same email, and take measures to block the sender or isolate affected systems. Security teams may also conduct a broader investigation to assess if credentials were compromised or malware was introduced. According to the SANS Institute, centralized handling of phishing incidents ensures that responses are accurate, evidence is preserved, and containment procedures follow established protocols.

Attempting to delete, forward, or investigate the email alone may interfere with the incident response process. Instead, follow your organization’s reporting procedures and avoid further action unless directed. In many organizations, once an alert is raised, security teams use automated tools like email quarantine, endpoint detection and response (EDR), and network monitoring systems to limit the spread and assess the impact. As highlighted by CISA and Verizon (2023), a well-trained security team supported by prompt user reporting forms the backbone of an effective phishing defense strategy, ensuring that one mistake doesn’t lead to a full-scale breach.

References:

• SANS Institute. (2023). Phishing Incident Response Plan. Retrieved from: https://www.sans.org

• Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). (2022). Avoiding Social Engineering and Phishing Attacks. Retrieved from: https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/news/avoiding-social-engineering-and-phishing-attacks

• Verizon. (2023). Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR). Retrieved from: https://www.verizon.com/business/resources/reports/dbir/