How to Protect Your Business from Phishing Attacks in 2025

Your inbox is the new battleground—and every employee is a target.

Phishing emails are no longer obvious scams from a Nigerian prince. They’re now polished, personalized, and nearly impossible to detect without training and technology.

For small and midsize businesses (SMBs), phishing is the most common—and most successful—cyberattack method. In fact, over 90% of data breaches start with a phishing email.

Even if you’ve got firewalls, antivirus, and backups, a single click from an employee can bring your entire business to a halt.

Let’s explore how phishing evolved, why it’s such a big threat in 2025, and what you can do to protect your business from phishing—before it’s too late.

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What Is Phishing—and Why Is It So Effective?

Phishing is a type of cyberattack where criminals send emails (or texts, or calls) designed to trick someone into:

• Clicking a malicious link
• Downloading a malware-infected file
• Entering their login credentials into a fake website
• Transferring money or buying gift cards

Modern phishing attacks are highly targeted and believable. Cybercriminals:

• Spoof real email addresses (like your CEO’s or Microsoft 365)
• Mimic branding, logos, and tone perfectly
• Research your company and personalize emails
• Time their attacks around payroll, holidays, or mergers

That’s why your team needs more than just “common sense” to stay safe.

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Real Story: Payroll Phishing in Western PA

A construction company near Franklin received an email from what appeared to be their HR system asking employees to re-enter direct deposit info.

Three employees fell for it. Their paychecks were rerouted, and the attackers attempted further access.

NextGEN was called in to investigate, lock down compromised accounts, and implement email filtering and mandatory phishing training. Had MFA been enabled earlier, the damage could have been avoided entirely.

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Why Phishing Is So Dangerous for SMBs

Phishing attacks can lead to:

💸 Financial Loss

• Wire transfer fraud
• Payroll redirection
• Invoice manipulation
• Gift card scams

🔒 Credential Theft

• Attackers steal Microsoft 365, banking, or internal system logins
• Credentials are sold on the dark web or used to move laterally

🛑 Ransomware Infections

• Clicking a phishing link can trigger malware that encrypts your systems
• Recovery costs range from thousands to hundreds of thousands

📉 Reputation Damage

• Clients lose trust if their data is exposed
• Negative publicity impacts sales and partnerships

⚖️ Compliance Violations

• HIPAA, FTC, and GLBA require protections against phishing
• Fines and penalties apply if you’re found negligent

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How to Protect Your Business from Phishing Attacks

Phishing prevention isn’t one tool—it’s a layered strategy. Here’s how we protect SMBs across Western PA:

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1. Email Filtering and DNS Protection

We start by stopping as many phishing emails as possible before they reach the inbox.

• Advanced spam filtering blocks known phishing domains
• AI-powered analysis detects fake senders, spoofed URLs, and malicious attachments
• DNS filtering stops users from visiting dangerous websites—even if they click a bad link

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2. Multifactor Authentication (MFA)

Even if credentials are stolen, MFA can block unauthorized logins by requiring a second form of identity verification.

We enforce MFA on:

• Microsoft 365 / Google Workspace
• Remote desktop and VPN access
• Line-of-business apps

This alone prevents the vast majority of phishing-related breaches.

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3. Security Awareness Training

We train your employees to:

• Spot phishing emails
• Verify suspicious requests
• Use strong passwords
• Report attacks before they cause harm

Training is delivered through short, easy-to-understand videos, quizzes, and monthly reminders.

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4. Simulated Phishing Tests

We don’t just tell employees about phishing—we test their ability to resist it.

Our simulations:

• Mimic real phishing tactics
• Measure who clicks, enters credentials, or reports the email
• Deliver instant feedback and coaching

Over time, your team gets smarter—and your risk goes down.

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5. Alerting and Response Tools

We monitor user behavior to:

• Detect suspicious logins or file activity
• Flag compromised inboxes or rule changes
• Quarantine or block risky emails in real time

And if someone clicks a bad link? We’re already taking action.

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Who Needs Phishing Protection?

If your business:

• Uses email (yes, all of you)
• Has employees accessing Microsoft 365 or other cloud apps
• Has ever received a suspicious email
• Is in a regulated industry
• Can’t afford a ransomware event or data breach
• Works with outside vendors or clients

…then phishing protection is essential.

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Why Work with NextGEN IT Solutions?

We’ve been helping businesses in Harrisville, Grove City, Pittsburgh, and beyond protect against phishing since before it made headlines.

Our approach is:

• Local and hands-on
• Tailored to your business
• Affordable and scalable
• Backed by 26+ years of experience

We don’t just throw software at the problem—we build a culture of security that empowers your people and protects your data.

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Let’s Phish-Proof Your Business

Start with a Free Phishing Risk Assessment. We’ll show you:

• How exposed your team is today
• Which emails are getting through
• What tools and training will make the biggest impact

Call 724-204-1950
Or request a consult at nextgen-itsolutions.com/contact

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Final Thoughts

Phishing isn’t going away. It’s getting more dangerous, more deceptive, and more expensive.

But with the right mix of training, technology, and response, your team can become your first—and best—line of defense.

Let NextGEN IT Solutions help you protect your business from phishing, starting today.