Beware that corrupted email attachment: It could be a phishing scam

You’re scanning your inbox and spot an important email with a Word document attached. Maybe it’s an invoice, a message from a supplier, or even a request from a colleague. You open it without thinking twice… and just like that, you’ve been scammed with phishing.

This scenario is exactly what cyber criminals are counting on. Now they’ve come up with another new way to get past even the most advanced email security filters – this time, using corrupted Microsoft Word files.

It’s a clever and dangerous tactic.

Understanding Phishing Tactics

Phishing (pronounced “fishing”) is where scammers try to trick you into giving away sensitive information, like passwords or bank details. They “bait” you with an email that looks legitimate, maybe from your bank, a coworker, or a company you trust.

These emails often include attachments or links. When you open the attachment or click the link, you could be downloading malicious software (malware) or visiting a fake website designed to steal your details.

Phishing attacks are constantly evolving, and they’re now one of the most common ways scammers break into businesses. Email security filters are usually pretty good at scanning attachments. But since corrupted files can’t be analyzed properly, the Word file is able to sneak into your inbox. When you open one of these corrupted files, Microsoft Word will “repair” it and show you what looks like a normal attachment. But the document will contain a malicious QR code or link that sends you to a phishing site (often a fake Microsoft 365 login page). If you enter your details, scammers could have access to your account – and potentially your entire business.

The Ripple Effect of a Successful Attack

Stealing just one employee’s login details can be enough. With access to your cloud systems, scammers could get hold of sensitive customer data, lock your team out of essential files, or even send phishing emails from your account to trick your contacts.

If this happens to you, it could be catastrophic. Your business could face financial losses, legal consequences, and a damaged reputation that could take a long time to rebuild. Furthermore, these attacks often lead to regulatory penalties, especially if sensitive data is compromised. Depending on your industry and location, data breaches can trigger mandatory reporting requirements and substantial fines for non-compliance. The fallout extends beyond immediate financial losses, impacting long-term business relationships and client trust.

Building a Strong Defense

Cyber attacks are getting more complicated. But you don’t need a degree in cyber security to help keep your business safe.

The best protection is awareness and caution.

Here are some steps you can take:

• Slow down and think twice before opening attachments or clicking on links.
• If an email seems urgent, beware – scammers like to rush you, so you’ll act without thinking.
• If you’re not sure an email is legit, check with the person or company that the email seems to be from.
• Never trust an attachment or link just because it looks professional.

Most importantly, make sure you educate yourself and your team about what phishing is, why it’s dangerous, and how to recognize the warning signs.

Beyond individual awareness, implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) across all platforms is crucial. MFA adds an extra layer of security, requiring users to provide multiple forms of identification before granting access. This makes it significantly harder for attackers to gain entry, even if they have stolen login credentials.

Regular security audits and penetration testing can also identify vulnerabilities in your systems, allowing you to address them before they are exploited.

Finally, consider investing in advanced threat detection software. These tools use artificial intelligence and machine learning to analyze email traffic and identify suspicious patterns that might indicate a phishing attack. By proactively identifying and blocking these threats, you can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to a corrupted attachment scam. We help businesses like yours with this every day. If you’d like us to help you too, get in touch.