Fazlur Rahman
Telling a phishing email from a real one is rarely about one detail. A genuine message from your bank might trip a single red flag; a phishing attempt usually trips four or more at once, and that stacking is the real signal. This guide covers how to spot phishing emails through 15 specific checks, with a real example of each, plus what to do if you have already clicked. If an email got through to a work device, the Microsoft Defender for Endpoint pricing tiers determine whether your organisation gets automated remediation or only alerts.
Why Phishing Still Works in 2026
Phishing remains the most common initial-access technique for cybercrime. According to the Verizon 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report, phishing was present in roughly 36% of analyzed breaches, and business email compromise (BEC) losses exceeded $2.9 billion in 2024 per FBI IC3 data. Despite better email filters and two-factor authentication, phishing succeeds because it targets people, not technology — and people respond to urgency, authority, and fear.
