Keeping Devices Safe by Avoiding Phishing, Scams, and Clickbait

Phishing is a form of cyberattack in which criminals use deceptive emails, text messages, phone calls, or websites to trick people into revealing sensitive information, installing malicious software, or granting access to accounts and systems. Rather than attacking technology directly, phishing relies on manipulating human behavior through false identities, urgent requests, or convincing stories.

In many cases, attackers impersonate trusted figures such as coworkers, managers, government agencies, or well-known companies. The message may ask the recipient to click a link, download an attachment, pay an invoice, or "verify" account details. Once the target complies, the attacker can steal login credentials or financial data or deploy malware on the device.

• Recognizing Phishing
• The History of Phishing
• Scams and Social Engineering

Why Phishing Is a Major Online Threat

Phishing is one of the most effective tools used by cybercriminals because it targets people rather than software vulnerabilities. Attackers can compromise even systems with strong security controls if a user unknowingly provides access. These attacks affect individuals, small businesses, large corporations, health systems, and government agencies, and the consequences range from identity theft and stolen funds to large-scale ransomware infections and exposure of confidential records.

Another reason why phishing is so dangerous is how hard it can be to detect. Fraudulent messages often appear legitimate and can bypass automated security filters. In some high-profile cases, even trained IT professionals have initially mistaken phishing messages for authentic communications.

Because phishing is so effective and so hard to detect, effective protection requires more than technical tools alone. User awareness, clear organizational policies, and layered security controls must work together to reduce risk.

• Phishing Facts and Statistics
• A Systematic Analysis of the Capital One Data Breach

Common Phishing Methods and Tactics

Phishing attacks rely on "lures" designed to provoke emotional reactions such as fear, urgency, curiosity, or excitement. The goal is to push recipients into acting before they have time to think critically. Common phishing types vary based on how many people the attacks target, how personalized the message is, and what the attacker hopes to gain.

• Common Phishing Attacks

Mass Email Phishing Campaigns

Bulk email phishing is the most widespread form of phishing. In these attacks, criminals send large volumes of fraudulent emails to thousands or even millions of recipients at once. These messages often impersonate banks, online retailers, delivery services, or popular software providers. Attackers frequently copy branding elements such as logos, layouts, and email formatting to make the messages appear authentic. They also choose subject lines carefully to provoke action, using phrases like "payment failed," "unusual login detected," or "invoice attached." The timing is also strategic. Attackers may launch campaigns during major shopping events, tax season, or holidays when people are distracted or expecting legitimate messages. The email body usually contains a link or attachment that leads to a fake website or installs malware.

• Spoofing and Phishing
• Cyber Threat Trends
• Email Security Best Practices

Targeted Phishing Attacks

Also known as "spear phishing" attacks, targeted phishing attacks focus on a specific individual or small group. Unlike with bulk phishing, attackers customize these messages using personal or professional information gathered from social media profiles, company websites, or public records. An attacker may pose as a colleague, supervisor, business partner, or client. Because the message references real names, job titles, or recent activities, it appears more trustworthy. Targets are often people with financial authority or access to sensitive systems, such as executives, accountants, IT administrators, or human resources staff. Highly targeted attacks against senior executives or wealthy individuals are sometimes called "whaling." When the victim responds, attackers may request wire transfers, confidential documents, or login credentials.

• The Evolution of the Phishing Email
• What Is Spear Phishing?

Business Email Compromise and Financial Fraud

Business email compromise is a specialized form of spear phishing focused on financial theft or sensitive corporate data. Two common approaches include:

• Executive Impersonation: An attacker pretends to be a CEO or senior leader and instructs an employee to urgently send money or confidential files.
• Compromised Employee Accounts: An attacker gains access to a real email account and uses it to send fraudulent invoices or payment requests to partners and vendors.

BEC attacks often cost organizations significant amounts because the transactions appear legitimate and may bypass standard approval processes. In recent years, criminals have shifted toward conducting many smaller fraud attempts with this type of approach rather than a few large ones, increasing the likelihood of success while avoiding detection.

• Avoiding Business Email Compromise
• Identity and Access Management

How to Recognize Clickbait and Dangerous Links

Clickbait phishing uses emotionally charged headlines or messages to entice users into clicking on malicious links. These links may appear in emails, text messages, social media posts, or websites.

Here are five practical ways to recognize suspicious links:

1. Watch for Mistakes: Unusual formatting, spelling errors, poor grammar, strange file names, or mismatched branding can indicate a scam. Incorrect dates, odd timing, and blurry logos are also common warning signs.
2. Inspect Where the Link Is From: Check the sender's email address or account carefully. Fraudsters often substitute letters with numbers or symbols to imitate real domains.
3. Verify the Sender's Identity: If a message claims to be from your bank or employer, contact them using official contact details, not the information provided in the message.
4. Pay Attention to Your Emotions: Messages may use urgent or alarming language to cloud your judgment. Treat strong emotional reactions as a signal to pause.
5. Be Cautious About Sharing Information: Never provide passwords, verification codes, or financial details to unsolicited requests.

• Safe Browsing Practices
• Understanding Email Headers
• Known Phishing Examples
• Cybercrime Facts, Figures, and Statistics
• The Psychology Behind Scams: Seven Manipulation Techniques to Watch Out For
• Seven Ways to Spot a Fake Website

Four Habits That Reduce Clickbait Risk

Good cybersecurity practices reduce the damage caused when prevention fails.

1. Keep Systems Updated: Install operating system and application security patches promptly to fix known vulnerabilities.
2. Use Reputable Antivirus or Endpoint Detection and Response Software: Make sure that protection tools are licensed, updated, and performing regular scans.
3. Only Use the Access Level You Need: Perform administrative tasks with accounts authorized for those actions, and avoid unnecessary use of high-privilege accounts for routine work. 
4. Replace Unsupported Devices: Older operating systems no longer receive security updates and are easier to exploit.

• How to Ensure Software Device Updates Are Legitimate
• Antivirus Software
• Device Management
• Four Cybersecurity Essentials for Businesses
• Impersonation Scams
• Endpoint Security
• How to Defend Institutional Data From Phishing
• Invoice Fraud Prevention

How AI Is Changing Clickbait and Phishing Scams

Artificial intelligence has made it easier for attackers to create more sophisticated phishing campaigns. Automated tools can now generate realistic emails, text messages, images, and even voice recordings that mimic legitimate people and organizations. AI-generated scams often lack the spelling and grammar mistakes that once made phishing easier to detect. And attackers can rapidly customize messages based on trending news, social media activity, or personal information. AI clickbait also contributes to misinformation by spreading fake stories and manipulated media that redirect users to harmful websites.

To reduce risk:

• Cross-check sensational claims using trusted sources.
• Examine URLs carefully before clicking.
• Stay informed about new scam techniques and emerging technologies.

• Beyond Phishing: Exploring the Rise of AI-Enabled Cybercrime
• Detect Deepfakes: How to Counteract Misinformation Created by AI
• How to Combat Fake News and Disinformation
• Managed IT and Security Operations
• Phishing with Malicious QR Codes
• AI Voice Clone Scams

Phishing, scams, and clickbait remain persistent challenges because they exploit human behavior as much as technology. While technical safeguards are important, the most effective defense combines awareness, careful habits, and layered security practices. By understanding how attackers operate, staying alert to suspicious messages, and following simple protective routines like keeping software updated, verifying sources, and limiting privileges, individuals and organizations can reduce risk and maintain trust in their digital systems. Ultimately, staying proactive and informed is the best way to keep devices, data, and teams safe in an increasingly connected world.