Despite all the new technology and security tools available today, one method of attack continues to top the charts—and it might be sitting in your inbox right now.
Email remains the #1 way hackers gain access to businesses.
It’s not because email is new or flashy. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Hackers love email because it’s simple, familiar, and trusted. Most employees use it all day long, which makes it the perfect channel for cybercriminals to exploit.
Here’s why email-based attacks continue to succeed—and what your business can do to stay ahead of them.
💥 Why Hackers Still Use Email to Breach Businesses
- It Bypasses the Tech and Targets People
Hackers know that people—not systems—are the easiest entry point.
That’s why they send convincing phishing emails that trick users into:
- Clicking on malicious links
- Downloading infected attachments
- Sharing sensitive information like passwords or financial data
Even the most cautious employee can be fooled by a well-crafted message that looks like it’s from a boss, vendor, or customer.
- It’s Easy to Spoof and Disguise
Cybercriminals can make emails look like they’re coming from a trusted source.
This includes:
- Faking company domains (e.g., yourcompany.co instead of yourcompany.com)
- Using logos, formatting, and signatures that mimic real messages
- Creating urgency (“Your invoice is overdue!” or “Please approve this wire transfer ASAP”)
These tactics lower your team’s guard and increase the chances they’ll take the bait.
- It Opens the Door to Bigger Attacks
Email is often the first step in a much larger attack. Once a hacker gets in, they can:
- Deploy ransomware
- Move laterally across your network
- Steal login credentials and escalate access
- Intercept financial communications and divert payments
All it takes is one wrong click.
- Remote Work Has Increased the Risk
With so many employees working from home or hybrid environments, email remains the go-to method for business communication. But personal devices, unsecured Wi-Fi, and distractions make phishing even more dangerous.
The more distributed your team, the greater the risk.
🛡️ What You Can Do to Protect Your Business
You can’t eliminate email, but you can make it much harder for hackers to succeed.
✅ Action Steps to Secure Your Email Environment:
- Implement advanced email filtering to detect and block threats
- Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) to prevent unauthorized access
- Train employees regularly on how to spot phishing scams and suspicious emails
- Run phishing simulations to test readiness and reinforce safe behavior
- Use a business-class email platform with built-in security tools and controls
- Ensure devices are protected with up-to-date antivirus and endpoint security
🚨 Final Thought: Email Is Still #1—But It Doesn’t Have to Be a Weakness
Hackers use email because it works. But with the right strategy, tools, and training, you can turn your inbox from a risk into a strong first line of defense.
At SpartanTec, we help small and mid-sized businesses identify vulnerabilities and build layered security that actually works.
📍 Start with an assessment to see how secure your inbox really is.
