Email Attacks Are Still the #1 Threat – Here’s How to Fight Back

Email is the most common entry point for cyberattacks – and still one of the easiest for attackers to exploit.

Phishing, ransomware, and business email compromise (BEC) attacks continue to rise because email is universal, low-cost, and vulnerable to human error. Even with basic protections in place, a single convincing message can lead to credential theft, data loss, or full-blown ransomware incidents.

Understanding why email remains the #1 attack vector – and how attackers are evolving – is the first step to strengthening your defenses. Here’s what makes email such a prime target, the most common attack types, and what you can do to stop them.

Why Email is a Cybercriminal’s Favorite Tool

1. It’s Everywhere

Email is the backbone of business communication – internal, external, formal, informal. That makes it an irresistible target. With billions of messages flying across the internet every day, cybercriminals only need one click to strike gold.

2. It Relies on Humans

Even with great security tools in place, human error remains the weakest link. Employees can be tricked into clicking malicious links, opening infected attachments, or sharing sensitive data – especially when an email appears to come from a trusted contact.

Attackers know this, and they exploit it with carefully crafted phishing messages that mimic real brands, coworkers, or even executives inside your organization.

3. It’s Cheap & Scalable

Launching an email attack doesn’t require much. Automated phishing tools allow criminals to blast thousands of messages at once, hoping a few land. If just one recipient falls for it, the payoff can be enormous – from financial fraud to complete system lockdown.

4. It’s Getting Smarter

Gone are the days of obvious spam. Today’s phishing emails are laser-targeted, AI-enhanced, and frighteningly believable. Attackers rely heavily on social engineering techniques – impersonating trusted contacts, mimicking communication styles, and exploiting urgency or fear. These tactics power spear phishing campaigns, BEC scams, and even zero-malware attacks that bypass traditional security tools.

The Most Common Email-Based Threats

To defend against email threats, you need to understand how they work. Here are the biggest offenders:

• Phishing: Disguised emails that aim to steal credentials, install malware, or trick users into taking risky actions.
• Business Email Compromise (BEC): Scams where attackers impersonate executives or vendors to request wire transfers or sensitive data.
• Ransomware: Malicious attachments or links that, once clicked, encrypt files and demand payment for their release.
• Malware Droppers: Files (often PDFs or Word docs) containing hidden code that installs malware silently in the background.
• Credential Harvesting: Emails that lead to fake login pages, designed to capture usernames and passwords.

How to Stop Email-Based Attacks

No solution offers 100% protection – but the right layered approach dramatically reduces your risk. Here’s where managed security service providers (MSSPs) come in.

Deploy Advanced Email Security

Standard spam filters are no match for modern threats. Organizations need advanced protection features such as:

• Attachment sandboxing to isolate and test unknown files
• Real-time URL scanning to block malicious links
• Impersonation protection to flag lookalike domains
• AI-driven threat detection that evolves with attacker tactics

These tools work behind the scenes to stop dangerous emails before they reach your users.

Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

If credentials do get compromised, MFA acts as a powerful safety net. By requiring a second verification step – like a code sent to a mobile device – MFA prevents attackers from gaining access with just a stolen password.

Train Your Team to Stay Alert

Technology alone isn’t enough. Your employees are the final line of defense. Regular cybersecurity awareness training empowers them to recognize suspicious emails, spot red flags in URLs or attachments, and report threats before they do damage.

Simulated phishing tests are a smart way to keep teams sharp and reinforce training in a real-world context.

Lock Down Your Domain

To prevent attackers from spoofing your brand, implement email authentication protocols like SPF (Sender Policy Framework), DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail), and DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance).

These tools verify that emails from your domain are legitimate and help block fraudulent senders. An MSP can ensure they’re properly configured so your organization isn’t left exposed to impersonation or phishing attacks.

Prepare for the Worst with a Response Plan

Even with the best defenses, breaches happen. A documented, tested incident response plan is critical. It should outline who does what, how to contain the threat, and how to restore operations quickly.

A good MSP will help you build, refine, and test this plan so you’re ready when – not if – an incident occurs.