Phishing attacks are one of the most common—and dangerous—cyber threats facing businesses today. They’re designed to trick employees into clicking fake links, giving away passwords, or sharing sensitive information.
And they’re not just targeting big corporations. Small and mid-sized businesses in Toronto are being hit more and more often.
Here’s how you can protect your business and your team from falling for these scams.
What Is Phishing?
Phishing is a type of cyberattack where hackers pose as trusted sources—like a bank, vendor, or even your own boss—to trick someone into taking harmful action.
It often comes in the form of:
- Suspicious emails with fake links or attachments
- Text messages asking for urgent responses
- Fake websites that look nearly identical to the real ones
Once a phishing attempt succeeds, the attacker might steal login credentials, install malware, or even gain access to your entire network.
Why Phishing Is a Real Threat for Toronto Businesses
In a busy work environment, it’s easy to click without thinking. That’s exactly what cybercriminals count on.
Some reasons phishing is so effective:
- It targets people, not systems
- It uses urgency and fear to pressure quick action
- It constantly evolves to bypass spam filters and firewalls
And for businesses in Toronto, the risks include financial loss, data breaches, and reputational damage.
How to Protect Your Business
Here are five practical steps to reduce your phishing risk:
1. Train Your Team
Teach employees what to look for:
- Poor spelling or grammar
- Unexpected attachments
- Email addresses that don’t match the sender’s name
- Unusual requests for sensitive info or gift cards
Regular training and reminders make a big difference.
2. Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Even if credentials are stolen, MFA adds an extra layer of security.
It’s one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent account takeover.
3. Install and Update Email Filters
A good spam filter can catch many phishing emails before they reach your inbox.
Make sure filters are updated regularly to stay ahead of new tactics.
4. Keep Software Updated
Outdated systems are easy targets.
Install updates and security patches as soon as they’re available to close known vulnerabilities.
5. Have an Incident Response Plan
If someone falls for a phishing email, what happens next?
A clear response plan (like the one we help build at MIT Consulting) ensures you can react quickly, limit damage, and recover fast.
Work With Cybersecurity Experts in Toronto
At MIT Consulting, we help Toronto businesses prevent phishing attacks and other cyber threats with smart, practical solutions.
From training and monitoring to full cybersecurity assessments, we help you stay protected—without slowing your business down.
Based in Toronto
Cybersecurity made simple
Contact us to strengthen your defencesAnd if you’re not sure where to start, we also recommend reading our blog on IT Risk and Vulnerability Management.
