Phishing has evolved. Attackers now blend realistic branding, AI-written messages, and even voice deepfakes to increase trust. The goal is still the same: trick someone into approving access, paying a fake invoice, or sharing sensitive data. The good news is that defenses have evolved too, and small businesses can adopt them without huge budgets.
TL;DR
Assume voice can be faked, require verification for risky actions, harden email security, and limit admin access.
Assume voice and video can be faked
Many scams now use a short phone call or voicemail that sounds like a real executive. The fix is not to distrust people, but to add a verification step for high-impact actions like wire transfers, payroll changes, or vendor updates.
- Use a known callback number for financial approvals.
- Create a short approval checklist for payments.
- Never accept bank detail changes over email only.
Harden email with modern controls
Make sure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are properly configured. These reduce domain spoofing and help your mail provider filter impersonation attempts. Pair that with anti-phishing policies and safe link scanning to catch malicious redirects.
Train for behavior, not trivia
Security training should focus on actions: report suspicious messages, verify a request, and pause before clicking. Short, scenario-based training beats long slide decks. When employees know what to do, the whole company is safer.
Use least privilege to limit damage
If a user gets compromised, the blast radius should be small. Limit admin privileges, use separate admin accounts, and apply conditional access that blocks risky sign-ins. A strong identity layer turns a phishing attempt into a non-event.
Build a reporting culture
People will make mistakes. The key is fast reporting. Add a one-click report button in email, and respond quickly without blame. Fast response can block a campaign before it spreads.
Deepfakes are real, but they do not have to be a business killer. With verification steps and modern email security, most attacks can be stopped before they start.