Phishing vs. Fishing: Email Security Tips & Training for Small Businesses

Cyber threats are everywhere—phishing, malware, ransomware, and more. But when it comes to email scams, phishing is one of the most common and one of the most dangerous. It’s also surprisingly easy to fall for.

That’s why phishing training and email security best practices are essential for every business, especially small businesses. The good news? A little awareness goes a long way.

Let’s break it down—with practical, real-world tips to help you stay safe and spot a phishing email before it causes real damage.

Phishing vs. Fishing: What’s the Difference?

You go fishing to catch dinner. Scammers go phishing to catch your passwords, money, or personal data.

Phishing emails are fraudulent messages designed to trick you into clicking a malicious link, downloading harmful attachments, or sharing sensitive data like passwords, banking info, or login credentials. They often appear to come from trusted companies—like UPS, Amazon, or even your own boss.

It’s important to remember: phishing happens to everyone. No one is too smart, too small, or too tech-savvy to be a target. That’s why every employee—not just the IT team—needs phishing awareness training.

Phishing Emails Look Real. That’s the Problem.

These emails are designed to mimic real communication. Look out for signs like:

• Use of familiar logos and branding
• References to recent purchases or package deliveries
• Claims to be from your bank or cloud service provider
• Personalized greetings that mention your name or company

But beneath the surface, they’re fake.

Types of Phishing Scams Employees Should Know

Not all phishing attacks look the same. Some are broad and obvious, while others are targeted and convincing. Here are a few common types your team should be aware of:

1. Spear Phishing Attacks

These attacks are personalized. Scammers use details like your name, job title, or company info to make the email feel legitimate. The goal? Trick you into thinking it’s a real message from someone you trust.

2. Whaling

Whaling targets high-level employees like CEOs or finance managers. These emails often come with urgent requests—like transferring funds or sharing tax info—and appear to come from another executive or legal team member.

3. Clone Phishing

This one’s sneaky. A scammer copies a real email you’ve received and resends it with a malicious link or attachment. It looks nearly identical to the original—except now it’s dangerous.

4. Smishing (SMS Phishing)

Phishing doesn’t just happen in your inbox. Smishing uses text messages to trick you, often claiming to be from your bank, a delivery service, or even the IRS.

5. Vishing (Voice Phishing)

In this case, the scam comes over the phone. A fake “tech support” or “bank representative” might call, pressuring you to share passwords, access codes, or account numbers.

The more your team understands the different tactics scammers use, the better prepared they’ll be to spot them—and stop them in their tracks.

Spotting a Phishing Attack: 5 Quick Checks

Here are email security tips for employees that anyone can use—no tech degree required.

1. Always Check the Email Address

Don’t just look at the sender’s name. Hover over it or open the full address. If it says something like “support@amaz0n-shipping.net”, it’s a red flag.

Scammers often impersonate trusted brands like Bank of America, PayPal, or FedEx. A logo is easy to copy. A domain name is harder to fake—and that’s where phishing gives itself away.

Example: You receive an email from “Amazon” saying your payment failed. The sender is “amazon_support@billing-alerts.net”, and the message urges you to “click here to update your info.” That’s a red flag.

2. Don’t Click If You’re Not Sure

If something feels off, don’t click on any suspicious links or download attachments. Phishing emails often urge urgency: “Click now to avoid account suspension.” That’s a classic trick.

3. Google It

Still unsure? Copy and paste the suspicious content into Google. Many phishing scams have already been flagged and discussed online. If it’s a scam, you’ll often find others reporting the same email or sender.

4. Report and Block

If you identify a phishing attempt, block the sender and mark the message as spam. If it claims to be from a real company, you can often report the phishing attempt directly to them via their website.

5. Ask Your IT Provider

Can’t tell if it’s legit? Reach out to your trusted IT service provider. A professional can help confirm the email’s legitimacy and guide you on next steps.

Email Security Best Practices for Small Businesses

For small businesses, email security can’t be an afterthought. A single click from one employee can lead to costly breaches or lost data. Here’s how to level up your protection:

• Provide Ongoing Phishing & Security Awareness Training
  Offer phishing awareness training for employees on a regular basis. Simulated phishing tests are especially helpful—they let your team practice in a safe environment.
• Set Up Email Filtering and Monitoring
  Work with your IT provider to install anti-phishing tools and spam filters. These can catch many malicious emails before they ever reach your inbox.
• Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
  If a password is compromised, MFA can be the last line of defense. Require MFA for all email logins and critical systems.
• Create a Clear Reporting Process
  Make it easy for employees to report suspicious emails. The faster your team flags phishing attempts, the better you can protect your systems.

Final Thoughts: Stay Skeptical, Stay Secure

Phishing isn’t going away anytime soon. But with the right tools, training, and a healthy dose of skepticism, you can dramatically reduce your risk of a phishing attack. KML Computer Services goes beyond the basics. From customized phishing training to advanced security tools, we equip your team with the knowledge and protection it needs to stay ahead of evolving threats.

Our clients trust us because we deliver real results—like detailed compliance scans, actionable reports, and expert recommendations that align with industry best practices. As Matthew M. McKenzie, President of Thomas Brady & Associates, puts it:

“KML has been a vital partner in strengthening our cybersecurity defenses… We now have the confidence that our organization is better protected.”

Let us help your business gain that same confidence. Reach out to our team for custom phishing training, security tools, and expert support tailored to your needs.