For years, e-mail has remained the primary communication tool in companies. It is through e-mail that documents, financial data, customer information and access to systems are sent. At the same time, the mailbox has become the most common entry point for cyber attacks. Phishing, malicious attachments or fake messages impersonating co-workers make email security one of the key elements in protecting the entire organization today.
Key findings
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Email is the most commonly used attack vector
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Most incidents start with one inconspicuous message
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Email attacks bypass classic network protections
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Effective mail protection must work before the message reaches the user
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Email security directly affects data and system security
Table of contents
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Why email is a prime target for cyber attacks
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The most common email risks
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Why basic filters are not enough
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What effective email protection should look like
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The most common mistakes in securing corporate email
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Frequently asked questions
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Summary
Why email is a prime target for cyber attacks
E-mail combines several characteristics that make it an ideal attack tool. It is widespread, fast and based on user trust. Cybercriminals take advantage of the fact that employees receive dozens of messages every day and often act automatically, without thorough verification of the sender.
One false message can lead to account takeover, system infection or data leakage. What’s more, e-mail attacks are increasingly being precisely tailored to a specific organization or individual.
The most common email risks
Some of the most common threats include phishing emails for login credentials, fake invoices, infected attachments and links leading to sites impersonating well-known sites. Attacks that intercept mail and further use it for internal fraud are also becoming increasingly popular.
Particularly dangerous are attacks that do not contain any attachments, but only encourage you to perform a certain action, such as changing your login credentials or making a money transfer.
Why basic filters are not enough
Many organizations rely solely on basic spam filters that catch only the most obvious threats. Meanwhile, modern attacks are often unique and don’t fit into familiar patterns. Messages can look like legitimate business correspondence, making them bypass simple protection mechanisms.
The lack of advanced analysis of the message’s content, sender and behavior significantly increases the risk that a dangerous e-mail will go directly to the user’s inbox.
What effective email protection should look like
Effective email protection should work in multiple layers and analyze each message before it reaches the recipient. Detecting sender impersonation attempts, analyzing attachments and identifying suspicious links are crucial.
Solutions offered by Barracuda focus on protecting e-mail even before it is delivered to the user, minimizing the risk of human error and the consequences of a successful attack.
The most common mistakes in securing corporate email
One of the most common mistakes is the belief that employee training is enough to protect against attacks. While user awareness is important, it should not replace technology. Another problem is the lack of protection for privileged accounts, such as management or finance department mailboxes, which are particularly attractive to attackers.
It is also common to encounter a lack of monitoring of e-mail incidents, making it difficult to react quickly and analyze the source of the threat.
Frequently asked questions
Can every email be a threat?
Not everyone, but everyone should be treated as potentially risky.
Does email protection slow down users?
Modern systems run in the background and do not affect the comfort of work.
Are small businesses also targeted by email attacks?
Yes, smaller organizations are often seen as an easier target.
Summary
Email security today is the first line of defense for an entire organization. Most attacks start with a single message, so protecting email inboxes should be considered a priority, not an add-on to a security strategy. Effective email security reduces the risk of data leaks, financial losses and business downtime.
