Phishing and Social Engineering: How to Spot the Tricks and Stay Safe

What is phishing and what is social engineering

Phishing is a form of social engineering that attempts to deceive you using messages that look genuine. These messages often arrive by email, text message or instant chat and appear to come from trusted sources such as banks, delivery companies or even colleagues. Social engineering is the broader concept behind phishing and includes any method used by attackers to manipulate human behaviour in order to bypass security systems. This could involve fake emails, convincing phone calls or even in-person impersonation attempts. The goal is simple: get you to act before you think.

Why social engineering works

Social engineering works so well because it targets natural human emotions. Many phishing messages try to create a false sense of urgency, pressuring you to act quickly so you do not stop to question the request. Others rely on trust by pretending to be someone you know or someone in authority.

Curiosity and the desire to be helpful also play a role, making people more likely to click on links or follow instructions without checking their legitimacy. Attackers combine these emotional triggers with realistic-looking messages, fake websites and spoofed email addresses to make their scams appear convincing.Lessons & tips for churches, NGOs, and smaller orgs

Real-world examples you might see at work

Phishing attempts often look like routine messages, which is why they are easy to fall for. You might receive an email claiming to be from HR asking you to review an attached document, which turns out to be infected with malware. Another common scenario is a fake password reset email pretending to be from your IT department, urging you to click a link that actually leads to a credential-stealing website.

Some attackers impersonate senior staff and request urgent payments or gift card purchases, relying on authority to pressure you. Even simple delivery notifications can be used as bait, leading to fake websites designed to steal your details.

Common mistakes employees make

Many successful cyber attacks begin with simple mistakes rather than complex hacking. Employees sometimes open attachments without checking the sender or trust messages just because they look like they came from inside the organisation.

Reusing passwords across multiple accounts increases the damage when details are stolen, and responding quickly to messages that feel urgent allows attackers to take advantage before suspicion arises. These mistakes are common because phishing messages are designed to bypass your normal caution.

How to spot a phishing attempt

Spotting phishing is easier when you know what to look for. Start by checking the sender’s full email address rather than just the display name, as attackers often change only the name to look genuine. Hover over links before clicking to see where they really lead. If the web address looks strange or does not match the organisation, it is probably a scam.

Poor grammar, odd formatting or unusual wording are also warning signs, especially in messages claiming to be official. Finally, be cautious of any message that tries to rush you into action. Unexpected attachments or unusual payment requests should always be verified through another channel.

Practical steps to protect yourself and your organisation

Staying safe starts with small habits. Take a moment to verify unexpected requests by contacting the sender directly through a known phone number or chat, rather than replying to the suspicious message. Be careful with attachments, especially those you were not expecting, and avoid enabling macros in Office files as they can hide malicious code.

Make use of multi-factor authentication so that even if a password is stolen, attackers cannot access your account. Keep your device updated and use company-approved security tools. Most importantly, report anything suspicious to your IT or security team so they can protect others.

What to do if you think you have been targeted

If you believe you clicked on a malicious link or entered your login details on a phishing site, act quickly. Change your password immediately from a secure device and notify your IT team so they can check for any unusual activity. They may advise running a malware scan or resetting your login credentials.

Avoid using the affected device for sensitive tasks until it has been checked, and always report incidents, even if you think it was a mistake. Quick action can prevent a minor slip from becoming a major security breach.

Simple checklist for employees

• Always check the sender’s full email address

• Hover over links before clicking them
  
  

• Do not enable macros in Office files from untrusted sources
  
  

• Verify unusual payment or information requests by phone or separate message
  
  

• Use MFA and a password manager where available
  
  

• Report suspicious messages to IT promptly

Conclusion

Phishing and social engineering are designed to exploit human trust, curiosity and urgency. Attackers rely on people reacting quickly and emotionally. When you slow down, question unusual requests and follow simple security habits, you dramatically reduce the risk of being caught in a scam. Staying alert is one of the strongest defences against cyber crime.