You Are The Target

Cybercriminals aren't just targeting IT departments anymore. They're targeting YOU—through your email, your phone, your social media, and even your trust in coworkers. 95% of successful cyberattacks start with a human clicking something they shouldn't have.

Why This Matters to You

You don't need to be a tech expert to be a target. In fact, attackers prefer non-technical employees because they're less likely to spot the warning signs. Whether you're in accounting, HR, sales, or management—if you have an email address and access to company systems, you're valuable to attackers.

This guide will teach you how to recognize and respond to the most common attacks. No technical jargon, just practical advice you can use today.

🎣 Threat #1: Phishing Emails

What it is: Fake emails pretending to be from someone you trust (your boss, IT department, Microsoft, your bank) trying to trick you into clicking a link, downloading a file, or sharing passwords.

🚩 Red Flags to Watch For

1. Suspicious Sender Address

The email says it's from "Microsoft" but the address is support@micros0ft-security.com (notice the zero instead of 'o')

✅ Always check the actual email address, not just the display name

2. Urgent or Threatening Language

"Your account will be closed in 24 hours!" or "Urgent action required!" or "You've been locked out!"

✅ Legitimate companies rarely threaten to close accounts via email

3. Requests for Passwords or Personal Info

"Click here to verify your password" or "Confirm your social security number"

✅ NO legitimate company will ever ask for your password via email

4. Suspicious Links

Hover over links (don't click!) to see where they really go. If it says "microsoft.com" but shows "micr0soft-login.ru", it's fake.

✅ When in doubt, go directly to the website instead of clicking email links

5. Generic Greetings

"Dear Customer" or "Hello User" instead of your actual name

✅ Companies you do business with usually use your name

Real Example We've Seen

An accounting department received an email that appeared to be from their CEO asking them to urgently wire $50,000 to a "vendor." The email address looked almost identical to the CEO's real address (john.smith@company.com vs john.smith@companyy.com—notice the extra 'y').

The employee called the CEO to verify. It was fake. One phone call saved $50,000.

📞 Threat #2: Social Engineering (Phone & In-Person)

What it is: Attackers manipulating you through conversation, pretending to be IT support, vendors, or even law enforcement to get you to share information or grant access.

Common Social Engineering Tactics

🎭 The "IT Support" Scam

Someone calls claiming to be from IT, says there's a problem with your computer, and asks for your password or wants you to install remote access software.

What to do: Hang up and call your actual IT department using a number you know is real. Real IT never asks for passwords over the phone.

🚪 The "Tailgating" Trick

Someone follows you through a secure door, saying "I forgot my badge" or carrying boxes and asking you to hold the door.

What to do: Politely ask them to use their own badge or call security. It's not rude—it's your job to protect the building.

👔 The "Vendor" Impersonation

Someone shows up claiming to be from a vendor (copier repair, IT contractor, cleaning service) but you weren't expecting them.

What to do: Verify with your manager or the person who scheduled them before granting access.

😴 Threat #3: MFA Fatigue Attacks

What it is: Attackers have your password (from a data breach or phishing) and spam you with dozens of MFA approval requests hoping you'll eventually click "Approve" just to make them stop.

How MFA Fatigue Works

1️⃣

Attacker gets your password from a data breach or phishing email

2️⃣

They try to log into your account, which triggers an MFA request to your phone

3️⃣

You deny it. But they keep trying—10, 20, 50 times in a row

4️⃣

At 2am, exhausted and annoyed, you accidentally (or deliberately) approve one just to make it stop

5️⃣

Attacker is now in your account

🚨 What to Do

NEVER approve an MFA request you didn't initiate
If you get unexpected MFA requests, immediately report it to IT
Change your password right away—someone has it
Don't approve "just to make it stop"—that's exactly what they want

🔑 Threat #4: Password Attacks & Credential Stuffing

What it is: Attackers use passwords leaked from other breaches (Netflix, LinkedIn, etc.) to try logging into your work accounts, betting you reused the same password.

Password Best Practices

Use a Password Manager

Let software remember your passwords. Use one strong master password to unlock everything else.

Never Reuse Passwords

If Netflix gets breached and you used the same password for work email, attackers will try it everywhere.

Make Them Long, Not Complex

"CorrectHorseBatteryStaple" is better than "P@ssw0rd!" because length matters more than symbols.

Enable MFA Everywhere

Even if someone gets your password, MFA stops them cold.

📱 Threat #5: Smishing (SMS Phishing)

What it is: Phishing via text message. "Your package is delayed, click here to reschedule" or "Your bank account has been locked, verify now."

How to Spot Fake Texts

❌ Unknown sender or weird number (like a 5-digit shortcode you don't recognize)
❌ Urgent language: "Act now!" "Limited time!" "Account suspended!"
❌ Shortened links (bit.ly, tinyurl) that hide the real destination
❌ Requests to click links or call unfamiliar numbers
❌ Claims about packages you didn't order or accounts you don't have

✅ What to Do Instead

Don't click links in unexpected texts
Go directly to the company's website or app
Call the company using a number from their official website
Delete the text and block the sender

🎯 What To Do If You Click Something Suspicious

Don't Panic—Act Fast

Report It Immediately

Contact your IT department or security team right away. The faster they know, the faster they can protect the network.

Change Your Password

If you entered credentials on a fake site, change your password immediately on the REAL site.

Don't Try to "Fix It" Yourself

Don't delete emails, don't run antivirus scans without telling IT. They may need to investigate.

Don't Be Embarrassed

These attacks fool security professionals. Reporting it quickly is the right thing to do.

🛡️ How Klutch Security Can Help

We deliver customized security awareness training tailored to your organization's specific threats and industry. Our training isn't generic slides—it's interactive, engaging, and based on real attacks we've seen targeting companies like yours.

Our Training Includes

Live phishing demonstrations using real examples from your industry

Interactive exercises where employees practice spotting threats

Simulated phishing campaigns to test and reinforce learning

Role-specific training for executives, finance teams, HR, and more

In-person or virtual delivery to fit your team's needs

Ongoing support with quarterly refreshers and updates on new threats

Ready to Train Your Team?

Let's discuss your organization's specific needs and design a training program that actually works. Available for in-person sessions on Long Island or virtual training anywhere.

Schedule a Free Training Consultation