Email security risks: 92% malware via email, 90% via phishing. Threats: phishing, spam, CEO fraud. Protection: policy, training, passwords, MFA, encryption, backup. Multi-layer defense
What email security risks threaten your business? Threat actors distribute malware via email 92% of the time. Over 90% cyberattacks begin with phishing emails. Main email threats: (1) Phishing - impersonating trusted companies/people, tricking users into clicking malicious links or revealing credentials; (2) Spam - slows systems, carries trojans/ransomware; (3) Social engineering - manipulating employees for money/information including CEO fraud (BEC) and vendor compromise (VEC). Remote work increased email reliance, escalating risk. Protection requires: email policy (acceptable use, security protocols, monitoring), staff training (phishing recognition, safe practices), strong passwords (12+ chars, numbers/symbols, rotation, unique per application), two-factor authentication, email encryption, email backups, antivirus software. Multi-layered approach essential - no single solution prevents all attacks.
Every business relies heavily on email for communications. Convenience, simplicity, instant delivery make it ideal for business-to-business and business-to-customer communications. Remote work expansion increased email importance for keeping distributed teams connected.
However, cybercriminals continuously exploit email system weaknesses for monetary gain, data theft, denial-of-service attacks, and more.
This guide explains main email security risks, attack methodologies, and comprehensive protection strategies.
Threat actors distribute malware via email approximately 92% of the time. Email represents primary malware delivery vector.
Over 90% of all cyberattacks begin with phishing emails. Phishing effectiveness drives its widespread use by criminals.
Every organization receiving email faces attack risk. Scale ranges from small businesses to large enterprises. Remote work normalization expanded email-based attack surface.
Attack mechanism: Criminals send emails appearing to come from trusted companies or known contacts
Lure: Emails contain links appearing important, enticing users to click
Outcomes: Computer infection with malware OR manipulation to reveal sensitive information (passwords, credit card details)
Psychological manipulation: Phishing exploits trust and urgency. Variant: COVID-19 phishing claiming CDC/WHO origins during pandemics. Pandemic stress makes users more likely to click.
Effectiveness: Phishing's 90%+ attack success rate reflects human vulnerability to social engineering.
Surface problem: Email accounts filled with spam cause frustration and system slowdown
Business impact: Excessive spam overloads IT systems, creates workload for IT departments
Malware vector: Spam frequently carries trojans, viruses, ransomware through attachments or infected links
Cascade risk: Unwary users clicking spam attachments/links introduce malware causing:
Classic scam: "Nigerian Prince" emails offering millions for small upfront payment (419 fraud)
Longevity: Despite obvious nature, scam variants persist because they work
Mechanism: Scams work through social engineering - criminals manipulate people into:
Information weaponization: Stolen information enables further attacks and fraud
Attack setup: Scammers target employees with financial access
Impersonation: Criminals pose as CEO or director via spoofed email
Social pressure: Orders to immediately pay invoices, transferring money to attacker accounts
Business impact: Direct financial loss from wire transfers to criminal accounts
Attack variation: Scammers spoof vendor email addresses rather than company leadership
Mechanism: Send fraudulent invoices appearing from legitimate vendors
Financial outcome: Employees pay invoices to attacker-controlled accounts, thinking they're paying vendors
Detection difficulty: Harder to identify than CEO fraud when vendor relationships aren't personally known
Nearly all employees access email. Multiple access points across devices and networks create vulnerability surface.
Email appears personal and direct. Criminals exploit this intimacy by impersonating trusted entities.
Email phishing and spam campaigns cost attackers minimal resources. High volume compensates for low success rates.
Even security-conscious employees occasionally fall for sophisticated phishing. Social engineering's psychological manipulation defeats technical awareness.
Policy should cover:
Enforcement: HR, company owners, and managers must consistently enforce policy
Training content:
Critical element: Employees must know exactly what to do if they accidentally click suspicious links, open malicious attachments, or encounter CEO fraud attempts
Ongoing training: Annual refresher courses + phishing simulations maintain awareness
Reality check: Passwords like "password" and "password1" still widely used despite obvious vulnerability
Strong password requirements:
Password management tools: LastPass and similar services generate strong passwords and securely store credentials
Function: Requires second verification factor beyond password
Options: SMS codes, authenticator apps, biometric verification
Email protection: MFA on email accounts prevents unauthorized access even if passwords compromised
Protection level: Encrypts email contents so only recipients can read
Especially important: Sensitive financial, legal, healthcare, or personal information
Ransomware resilience: Backups enable recovery if email encrypted by ransomware
Frequency: Daily or continuous backups minimize data loss risk
Email filtering: Blocks known phishing emails, spam, malware-laden messages
Antivirus: Detects malware in attachments and downloads
Combined defense: First line against mass-distribution attacks
SPF/DKIM/DMARC: Prevent email spoofing, making CEO fraud/VEC attacks harder
Implementation: IT departments configure these standards to protect both inbound and outbound email
No single email security measure prevents all attacks. Comprehensive protection requires combining:
Organizations deploying multi-layered mechanisms significantly reduce email attack success rates while maintaining business email effectiveness.
Start by assessing current email security posture. Does your organization have formal email policy? Are employees trained annually? Are strong passwords enforced organization-wide?
Next, evaluate technical controls. Do you have email encryption for sensitive communications? Is MFA enabled on email accounts? Are email backups performed regularly?
Then, conduct vulnerability assessment. Test employee phishing recognition through simulated phishing campaigns. Identify users needing additional training.
Finally, develop incident response procedures. If an employee falls for phishing, what happens next? Who gets notified? How quickly do you detect and contain threats?
Need help implementing comprehensive email security protecting your organization against phishing, spam, scams, and malware? Contact AMVIA specialists: 0333 733 8050 (direct to experts, no voicemail) or request consultation. We assess your email security risks, implement multi-layered protection strategies, conduct employee training, and deploy comprehensive cybersecurity solutions protecting your organization against evolving email threats.
Monthly expert-curated updates empower you to protect your business with actionable cybersecurity insights, the latest threat data, and proven defences—trusted by UK IT leaders for reliability and clarity.
