How to Recognise Phishing Attacks in 2025?

The Rising Tide of Phishing Attacks: How to Identify and Stop Cybercriminals in 2025

In the first quarter of 2025, the APWG Phishing Activity Trends Report recorded a staggering 1,003,924 phishing attacks — the highest quarterly total since late 2023. Cybercriminals are increasingly exploiting QR codes in emails to lure users to phishing sites or malware downloads.

The SaaS/Webmail sector remained the most targeted industry (18%), while the financial sector, including banking, payment, and cryptocurrency platforms, accounted for 30.9% of all phishing attacks. Additionally, Business Email Compromise (BEC) wire transfer scams surged by 33% compared to the previous quarter.

In this post, we’ll explore the most common types of phishing attacks, how to recognise and prevent them, and how your organisation can stay one step ahead of cybercriminals.

What is Phishing?

Phishing is a type of cyber attack where criminals pose as trusted organisations, colleagues, or friends to trick victims into revealing sensitive data — such as login details, financial credentials, or personal information.

These attacks can come through email, SMS, voice calls, or instant messages, often containing malicious links or attachments. A single deceptive message can lead to identity theft, financial loss, or malware infection. Recognising phishing messages is a vital step in strengthening your organisation’s cybersecurity awareness.

Common Types of Phishing Attacks

1. Spear Phishing

A targeted attack using detailed information about the victim to appear authentic. Cybercriminals research their targets, crafting tailored messages that are hard to detect.

2. Email Phishing

A broad campaign that sends fraudulent messages to many recipients, often using urgent or fear-inducing language to trick users into clicking malicious links or providing sensitive details.

3. Business Email Compromise (BEC)

A sophisticated form of phishing where attackers impersonate executives or vendors to request wire transfers or confidential data.

4. Whaling

A form of spear phishing targeting senior executives or high-value employees, aiming to steal strategic or financial information.

5. Smishing

Phishing attacks delivered via SMS or messaging apps like WhatsApp. These messages often include malicious links disguised as delivery updates, payment alerts, or urgent notifications.

6. Vishing

Voice phishing, or vishing, involves scammers calling victims and pretending to represent trusted organisations, manipulating them into revealing confidential data or performing specific actions.

For more detailed insights, also read our comprehensive resource — The Ultimate Guide to Phishing Awareness

How to Spot a Phishing Attack

Phishing emails are becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish from legitimate ones. Cybercriminals now use professional branding, realistic domain names, and personalised details to deceive even cautious recipients.

Here are key warning signs to watch for:

• Suspicious Links: Hover over hyperlinks before clicking. If the URL doesn’t match the sender or looks suspicious, do not open it.
• Requests for Sensitive Information: Be wary of unsolicited messages asking for passwords, banking details, or other confidential data.
• Unusual Sender Details: Double-check the sender’s email address. Even small spelling alterations can reveal a fake account.
• Generic Greetings: Phrases like “Dear Customer” or “Dear Member” instead of your actual name often indicate a phishing attempt.
• Urgent or Fear-Based Messages: Scammers create panic to rush victims. Common tactics include claiming there’s a problem with your account or offering fake rewards.
• Spelling or Grammar Mistakes: Professional organisations maintain high-quality communication; poor spelling or grammar is a strong red flag.

Strengthen Your Defence Against Phishing Attacks

To protect your organisation from phishing, it’s vital to combine employee training, phishing simulations, and robust cybersecurity awareness programmes.

Phishing attacks are evolving rapidly — and human error remains the leading vulnerability. Protect your organisation with MetaCompliance’s Human Risk Management Platform, offering automated security awareness training, advanced phishing simulation, and targeted educational content designed to safeguard your business against phishing and other social engineering attacks.