Email is still the most used way to talk in business. It’s quick, simple, and easy to scale. But it’s also the easiest way for cybercriminals to reach into your world. Every day, millions of dangerous emails are sent—some annoying, some truly harmful. If you’re running a business, managing IT, or just trying to protect your team, understanding email security trends is more than helpful—it’s essential.
1. Over 45% of all emails sent daily are classified as spam
Nearly half the emails bouncing around the internet every day are spam. That’s a huge volume, and it means your inbox, your employees’ inboxes, and even your customers are targets.
Spam isn’t just about annoying ads anymore. Some spam emails carry malicious links, others try to steal login details, and many are used as distractions to hide bigger threats. With so much spam in circulation, the chances of someone in your organization clicking the wrong email are higher than ever.
So, what can you do?
First, make sure you have an email security solution that includes spam filtering. Don’t rely on basic tools. Go for systems that use real-time threat detection and machine learning to adapt as new spam patterns appear.
Second, educate your team. Even the best filter can miss a few. Train employees to spot spam, ignore suspicious links, and report strange messages.
Lastly, monitor your outbound emails. Sometimes, your business domain gets hijacked and starts sending spam without you knowing. Set up alerts to catch this quickly.
2. Phishing emails account for more than 90% of social engineering attacks
Phishing isn’t just some hacker in a hoodie typing away in the dark. It’s a full-blown industry now, and it’s the top method used in social engineering. That means tricking people into doing something harmful—like giving away passwords, downloading malware, or even sending money.
The reason phishing is so common is simple: it works. And if it works, it’s going to keep growing unless we step in.
Here’s the thing: phishing emails look real. They might use your boss’s name, your company’s logo, or even reply to a real email thread. The aim is to catch someone off guard—maybe during a busy morning or a late-night work session.
To protect your organization, start with regular phishing simulations. Test your staff with fake phishing emails. See who clicks and who reports. Then, use those results to improve training.
Also, use email gateways that analyze email behavior. Not just words or phrases, but actual sending patterns. Is that email coming from the right location? Has the sender used that domain before? The more context your tools have, the better they can block these threats.
3. 1 in every 99 emails is a phishing attack
That might not sound like a lot until you consider how many emails your team gets each day. If an employee receives 100 emails, chances are, one of them is trying to trick them. Multiply that across an entire team and the danger becomes clear.
Phishing emails don’t just pretend to be your boss. Some come as invoices, job applications, or even customer questions. They sneak in, hoping someone doesn’t look too closely.
One powerful tactic here is to set up a verification policy. For example, if someone asks for a password reset or payment confirmation via email, require a second confirmation through a different channel—like a phone call or Slack message.
Another key move: encourage a “pause and think” culture. Let your employees know it’s okay to double-check, especially when an email feels urgent or emotional. Scammers love to rush people.
And finally, limit access. Not everyone needs access to sensitive data. If a phishing email does get through, you want to make sure the damage is limited. Break your network into smaller parts, so one mistake doesn’t crash the whole system.
4. Business Email Compromise (BEC) caused $2.7 billion in losses in 2022 alone
This is the costliest type of email attack, and it doesn’t involve malware or suspicious links. BEC is all about tricking someone into sending money or sensitive data by pretending to be a trusted source—usually a CEO, CFO, or vendor.
BEC attacks are highly targeted. They take time. Scammers often study LinkedIn profiles, learn your email style, and strike when they know you’re out of the office or busy.
To fight BEC, set up strict payment verification rules. Always require two-person approval for large transfers, no matter who sends the request.
It’s also a good idea to delay outgoing payments. A short delay gives your team time to notice and stop a suspicious transaction.
Use DMARC (we’ll cover this later) to prevent attackers from spoofing your domain. And make sure employees know BEC isn’t just a “finance problem.” It can happen in sales, HR, or any department where trust matters.
5. Spoofing makes up over 25% of all phishing emails
Spoofing is when an email looks like it’s coming from someone you know, but it’s actually from an attacker. This trick is popular because it’s simple and powerful.
Email spoofing relies on one thing: trust. If the email says it’s from your CEO, most people won’t question it. That’s why spoofed emails make up a quarter of all phishing attempts.
The fix? Domain authentication.
Start by setting up SPF (Sender Policy Framework) and DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail). These tools verify that an email sent from your domain is really coming from your servers.
Then, turn on DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance). DMARC lets you decide what happens when someone tries to spoof your domain. You can block it, quarantine it, or just monitor it.
But be careful: setting up these tools wrong can block real emails too. Work with your IT team or an email security vendor to get it right. And once it’s live, monitor the reports to see who’s trying to spoof your domain and take action.
6. 80% of organizations faced at least one spoofing attempt in the past year
That’s not just a stat—it’s a warning. Spoofing isn’t rare anymore. If you haven’t seen it yet, you probably will soon.
Most companies are targeted because attackers assume someone will eventually fall for it. And honestly, they’re often right. Spoofed emails can look perfect—right address, right logo, even the right writing tone.
To defend against this, start by raising awareness. Run internal training sessions showing real spoofing examples. Teach employees how to check headers and spot red flags, like misspelled domain names or strange phrasing.
Next, audit your domain exposure. Are there old email domains still active? Are there third-party tools sending on your behalf? Close off anything you’re not using.
Also, consider using a warning banner for external emails. This doesn’t stop spoofing, but it gives people a visual cue when an email comes from outside your company—even if it looks familiar.
7. 94% of malware is delivered via email
That means nearly every malware attack starts with a simple message in your inbox. And it only takes one click to let it in.
Malware emails often use attachments—like fake invoices or resumes. Others have links that send users to infected websites. Some even download files automatically if you open them on certain devices.
So, what can you do?
First, block risky attachments. Use filters to stop emails with file types like .exe, .js, or .scr. If you must allow attachments, scan them with multiple antivirus engines before delivering them to the user.
Second, disable automatic link previews and auto-download features. These might seem helpful, but they’re a backdoor for malware.
Finally, segment your network. If malware does get in, you want to stop it from spreading. Keep backups of everything and test your recovery process often—just in case.
8. Only 24% of organizations have fully implemented DMARC protection
DMARC is one of the best tools to stop spoofing, but very few companies use it correctly. Some set it to “monitor,” others never enforce it, and many skip it altogether.
Why? It can be tricky to set up. It requires proper SPF and DKIM records, and one mistake can cause real emails to get blocked.
But it’s worth it.
DMARC gives you visibility. It shows who’s sending email from your domain and whether it’s passing your rules. Once you’re confident, you can enforce your policy and block anything suspicious.
If you haven’t set up DMARC yet, start small. Use the “none” policy to monitor activity. Analyze the reports. Then move to “quarantine,” and finally “reject” when you’re sure everything’s working.
You can also use hosted DMARC services. They make setup easier and help you read the technical reports in plain language.
9. SPF (Sender Policy Framework) adoption is around 80% among enterprises
That’s a good start, but SPF alone doesn’t stop spoofing. It tells the world which servers are allowed to send emails for your domain—but that’s only half the story.
SPF fails when emails are forwarded. It also doesn’t tell recipients what to do if the email fails the check.
Still, if you haven’t set up SPF, you should. It’s a required piece of both DKIM and DMARC. Start by listing all your legitimate email senders—like your CRM, marketing tools, and internal servers. Then publish an SPF record in your DNS.
Keep your SPF record under 10 lookups to avoid delivery issues. And don’t forget to update it whenever you add or remove a service.
Once SPF is live, test it using tools like MXToolbox or Google’s CheckMX. And combine it with DKIM and DMARC for full protection.
10. DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) usage is at about 60% globally
DKIM adds a digital signature to your emails. When someone receives your message, their server checks the signature to see if it matches your domain’s public key.
If it matches, great—it means the message wasn’t changed in transit. If it doesn’t, the email might be fake or tampered with.
With only 60% adoption worldwide, that leaves 40% of emails at risk. Many companies skip DKIM because it requires setting up cryptographic keys, and that can sound complicated. But most email providers support it, and some handle the setup for you.
To get started, generate a DKIM key pair. Add the public key to your DNS. Then, configure your email server or provider to sign outgoing messages.
Once DKIM is working, test it using free tools. Look for failed signatures and fix any gaps. And as always, use it alongside SPF and DMARC for layered protection.
11. 70% of spoofed emails pass through email filters undetected
This one’s a wake-up call. Most people assume their email filters are catching the bad stuff—but spoofed emails are often designed to look clean. No malware. No weird links. Just a message pretending to be from someone you trust.
That’s how 7 out of 10 spoofed emails slide past filters and land in inboxes.
Why? Because traditional filters focus on known threats—keywords, suspicious attachments, blacklisted IPs. Spoofing plays a different game. It imitates, it mimics, it slips through the cracks.
So what can you do?
Invest in advanced threat protection. Look for solutions that analyze email behavior, not just content. Who’s the sender? Is this the first time they’re emailing you? Are they using a domain that looks like yours but is slightly off?
Second, don’t rely on technology alone. Train employees to recognize signs of spoofing: unexpected requests, strange wording, or minor differences in email addresses. You’d be surprised how many spoofed emails use things like “ceo-company.com” instead of “ceo@company.com.”
You can also use email tagging—adding a short note like “External Sender” to any email that comes from outside your organization. It won’t stop the email, but it helps staff think twice before responding.
12. 65% of companies reported an increase in phishing attempts year-over-year
Phishing is on the rise. It’s growing smarter, faster, and more convincing. Two-thirds of companies saw more phishing attacks this year than last—and there’s no sign of slowing down.
Why the increase?
Simple: it works. Phishing scams cost very little to send but can bring huge payoffs. And as defenses improve, attackers just get sneakier.
Some phishing emails now use AI to write better messages. Others steal branding from real companies. Many avoid using links or attachments altogether, just to dodge spam filters.
To handle this rise, step up your defenses.
First, update your phishing simulations. Don’t keep using the same test emails—people get used to them. Rotate your templates and make them harder over time.
Second, shorten the reporting chain. Make it easy for employees to forward suspicious emails to your IT or security team. Set up a shortcut or a “report phishing” button in your email system.
Finally, respond quickly. When a phishing email gets reported, act fast. Remove it from inboxes across your network using centralized tools. One delayed response can lead to a major breach.
13. Email filtering tools have an average 98% detection rate for known spam
That sounds great, right? And it is—if you’re only dealing with spam that’s been seen before. For known spam, filters are doing a solid job, catching nearly all of it.
But the key word here is “known.”
New spam—especially spam crafted specifically for your organization—can sneak through. So while 98% is impressive, it still means 2% is getting in. And with millions of emails sent every day, that’s still a big number.
To improve that rate for your business, choose a filter that updates constantly. Look for email security platforms that use real-time threat intelligence. That way, you’re not just relying on yesterday’s spam list.
Also, combine layers of filtering. Use your built-in email provider’s filters, but also add third-party protection for deeper scanning. Some systems analyze sender reputation, language, and even attachments in a sandbox before delivery.
And finally, don’t forget outbound email filtering. It protects your brand, keeps your domain off spam blacklists, and stops compromised accounts from hurting your reputation.
14. False positives in email spam filters occur at a rate of around 0.1%
It might seem like a small number, but when you send hundreds of emails a day, even a 0.1% false positive rate can block important messages. That missed email could be a client invoice, a vendor confirmation, or a sales lead.
Spam filters aren’t perfect. Sometimes they flag legitimate messages because of certain keywords, formatting, or sender behavior.
To reduce false positives, review your spam filter logs regularly. Look for emails that were mistakenly flagged and whitelist trusted senders.
Also, adjust your spam sensitivity settings. Most filters let you fine-tune them. Start conservative, then slowly tighten as needed.
Another good move is to use SPF, DKIM, and DMARC on your own outgoing emails. These help other mail servers trust your messages—and help prevent them from ending up in someone else’s spam folder.
And don’t forget your staff. Teach them to check their spam folders once a week. You’d be surprised how many “lost” emails are just sitting in there, waiting to be found.
15. The average cost of a successful phishing attack is $4.91 million
That’s not a typo. Phishing attacks aren’t just annoying—they’re expensive. And not just because of the initial breach. The real costs pile up afterward: legal fees, customer notifications, fines, lost revenue, and damage to your brand.
Even small phishing incidents can lead to huge consequences if data is stolen, systems go offline, or private information is leaked.
So, how do you prevent a multi-million dollar mistake?
Start with executive buy-in. Security needs to be a company-wide priority, not just an IT issue. Make sure your leadership team understands the risks and supports training and investment in the right tools.
Then, run phishing simulations regularly. These aren’t just drills—they’re practice. And practice helps reduce the risk of a real incident.
Finally, have a response plan. If a phishing attack happens, who does what? Who locks down accounts? Who notifies legal or PR? Who checks the backups? The faster you move, the less you lose.
16. 30% of phishing emails are opened by targeted recipients
This is the scariest part: phishing works because people open the emails. Even trained employees can fall for the right message at the wrong time.
Maybe the email looks like a shipping update. Maybe it uses a tone of urgency. Maybe it arrives during a busy moment and gets opened without much thought.
Whatever the reason, 3 out of 10 phishing emails are opened. That’s too high.
To lower this number, make training personal. Don’t just show slides—use real examples from your own email logs (with sensitive info removed). Show employees exactly what these emails look like.
Use stories instead of stats. Tell them how one click caused a company-wide shutdown or leaked customer data. Stories stick. Numbers don’t.
You can also use attention-grabbing visuals in your training—like screenshots of fake login pages, or side-by-side comparisons of real vs. fake emails. These things help people remember when it counts.
17. 12% of those who open phishing emails click on the malicious link
That’s the next level of danger. Not only are phishing emails being opened—some of them are working.
Once someone clicks a bad link, it’s often too late. The malware is installed, the login page is filled out, or the fake site steals your credentials.
The fix here is multi-layered.
First, train staff to hover before they click. Teach them to check where the link really goes before they open it. A link might say “www.paypal.com” but actually lead somewhere else entirely.
Second, use browser-based security tools. These can warn users or block them entirely from visiting known phishing sites.
Third, if you have the resources, use email link rewriting. This replaces links in incoming emails with safe redirect links that scan the site at the time of click. If the site turns dangerous later, the user is blocked.
18. 75% of spoofed emails impersonate a trusted brand
That means three out of every four spoofed emails don’t pretend to be random people—they pretend to be brands your employees know and trust. Think Microsoft, Amazon, Google, or even your own service providers.
Why? Because recognition lowers your guard. When someone sees a familiar logo or company name, they’re more likely to trust the email without thinking twice.
You can fight this with brand impersonation detection. Some advanced email security tools now scan incoming emails for visual elements like logos and layout. If something doesn’t match the real brand, they flag it.
Also, teach your team to go straight to the source. If an email says, “Your Microsoft password is expiring,” tell them to not click the link—instead, go directly to the official site and log in from there.
And on your end, protect your brand too. Register similar domain names to prevent others from using them against you. Monitor the web and dark web for signs that your brand is being spoofed.
19. Over 50% of organizations experience spoofed executive impersonation attempts
These are the emails that say, “I’m the CEO, I need you to wire funds now,” or “I’m traveling, send me the gift cards.” They don’t have links or attachments—but they’re dangerous because they rely on fear, urgency, and authority.
More than half of businesses have seen these kinds of attacks. They’re called whaling, and they target high-ranking executives or people who work closely with them.
To stop this, set policies. No executive should ever request money or sensitive information over email without a second channel for confirmation.
You can also use tagging to mark internal emails—if a spoofed email pretends to be from your CEO but arrives with an “External” tag, that’s a red flag.
And for added protection, set up VIP filters. Flag or quarantine any message claiming to be from top-level staff but sent from unusual sources.
20. 67% of email-based attacks bypass traditional antivirus solutions
Antivirus software is important, but it’s not enough anymore. Over two-thirds of email-based attacks get past these tools. Why? Because they’re designed to catch known threats, not brand-new ones.
Attackers use fileless malware, zero-day exploits, and cleverly crafted attachments that slip past signature-based detection.
So what should you do?
Add behavioral detection tools to your stack. These look for what the file does, not just what it is. If it tries to open PowerShell, change registry keys, or connect to shady servers, it gets flagged.
Also, use sandboxing. That means opening attachments in a safe, isolated environment before delivering them to your team. If something tries to run code or download more files, it gets blocked.
And most importantly, layer your defenses. Antivirus, firewalls, DNS filtering, email security, user training—they all work better together than alone.
21. Advanced spam filters reduce spam delivery by over 99.5%
That’s a powerful number—and a testament to how far email security tools have come. The best filters can catch nearly all spam before it ever reaches your inbox.
But here’s the catch: not all filters are created equal. Some only look at email content. Others dig deeper into sender reputation, metadata, and behavior patterns.
If your current spam filter isn’t performing at that 99.5% level, it might be time to upgrade.
Look for tools that use AI and real-time threat databases. These systems learn from global spam trends and adjust within minutes when new threats appear.
Also, consider filtering email before it hits your main server. This pre-delivery filtering reduces strain on your infrastructure and keeps dangerous messages further away from your users.
Don’t just “set and forget” either. Review your spam logs regularly. See what’s getting through, and fine-tune your rules if needed.
22. 20% of organizations suffer data loss due to phishing each year
That’s 1 in 5 companies losing sensitive information—because someone clicked on the wrong email.
Data loss can mean customer info, trade secrets, employee records, or financial data. Once it’s gone, the cost of recovery (or regulatory fines) can be massive.
To reduce this risk, limit data access. Only give people access to the information they need for their role. The less exposed your data is, the less there is to lose if an account gets compromised.
Also, set up email data loss prevention (DLP) policies. These automatically block or flag emails that contain sensitive information like credit card numbers or Social Security data being sent outside the company.
And encrypt everything. That way, even if data is stolen, it’s unreadable without the right decryption key.
Finally, always back up your data. Not just once a month—daily. And test those backups. Make sure you can recover quickly if something goes wrong.
23. 60% of spoofed emails are sent from free email services like Gmail or Yahoo
Attackers love free email platforms. Why? Because they’re easy to set up, don’t require real identity verification, and can be burned and replaced quickly.
If someone receives an email from “john.smith.ceo@gmail.com” pretending to be your CEO, there’s a decent chance they’ll believe it—especially if the name looks familiar.
To catch these, enforce domain checks. Set up email rules to flag or block messages claiming to be internal but sent from public domains.
Also, monitor for lookalike email addresses. Some attackers use domains like “your-company.co” or “yourcompany.tech” to trick users into thinking the sender is legitimate.
And when it comes to customer communication, encourage your clients to only trust emails from your official domains. Add a note in your footer like: “We’ll never email you from a public address.”
Consistency in how you communicate goes a long way in preventing confusion—and protecting your brand.
24. Only 6% of users report suspicious emails to their IT departments
This one hurts. It means 94% of employees are either ignoring or deleting suspicious emails without saying a word. That’s a big missed opportunity to stop threats early.
Reporting is one of your strongest defense tools—when it’s actually used.
So make it easy. Set up a one-click “Report Phishing” button in your email client. Don’t expect people to copy and paste or open tickets.
Then, give feedback. When someone reports an email, let them know what happened. Was it real? Was it a test? That feedback reinforces the behavior.
Celebrate good catches, too. If someone spots a spoofed email and reports it, call it out in team meetings or internal newsletters. It creates a culture of vigilance.
The goal is simple: make reporting feel like the right move, every time.
25. Email encryption adoption is below 50% in small to mid-sized businesses
Encryption sounds technical, but it’s just about privacy. When an email is encrypted, only the sender and the receiver can read it. No one else—not hackers, not email providers, not even your own IT team.
Without encryption, your emails can be intercepted and read, especially over public networks or unsecured servers.
So why aren’t more small businesses using it?
Mostly because it sounds complicated. But modern email services make it much easier. Many platforms offer built-in encryption options, especially if you’re using enterprise tools like Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace.
If you handle customer data, legal info, or payment details over email, you need encryption. End of story.
Start by encrypting sensitive messages automatically. Set up policies based on keywords or types of content (like “invoice” or “SSN”). And train your team to recognize when to use manual encryption options when needed.
It’s one of the easiest ways to boost your security posture—without major cost.
26. 85% of email breaches involve human error
No surprise here. Most security breakdowns come down to someone making a mistake. A click. A reply. A download. And suddenly, your network is exposed.
Humans are the weakest link in cybersecurity—but also the strongest defense when properly trained.
The solution isn’t to shame people. It’s to prepare them.
Start by simplifying your training. Use plain language, real-world examples, and hands-on testing. Skip the jargon. Focus on the threats your team actually faces.
Reinforce the message regularly. One training a year isn’t enough. Include quick refreshers in team meetings, onboarding sessions, and even email newsletters.
And build a culture where people feel safe reporting their mistakes. If someone clicks a phishing link, they need to feel comfortable telling IT immediately—not hiding it out of fear.
The faster you know, the faster you can fix it.
27. Email-based ransomware attacks increased by 25% year-over-year
Ransomware is nasty. One bad email, and your systems are locked, your files are encrypted, and the attacker demands payment to restore access.
And it’s growing—fast.
A 25% jump means attackers are finding email to be a reliable delivery method for ransomware. Usually, it comes as a disguised attachment: “Invoice,” “Job Application,” or “Purchase Order.”
To fight this, go beyond antivirus.
Set up sandbox environments for attachments. This means files are opened in a safe place where they can’t hurt your systems if they’re malicious.
Use content disarm and reconstruction (CDR) tools. These break down and rebuild files to remove hidden threats without affecting the document’s content.
And above all, have strong backup and recovery processes. Ransomware loses its power if you can restore everything quickly from a clean backup.
28. Cybersecurity awareness training reduces phishing click rates by up to 60%
This stat should give you hope. Training works. When people know what to look for, they’re far less likely to fall for phishing emails.
A 60% drop in click rates means fewer breaches, fewer headaches, and a safer business environment.
But you can’t just show a slideshow once a year and call it done.
Make training short, regular, and interactive. Use games, quizzes, and live examples. People learn better when they’re engaged.
Rotate the material. Cover phishing, spoofing, ransomware, and business email compromise. Keep it fresh.
Also, tailor training to job roles. The finance team might need different examples than the customer support team. Everyone faces different threats.
Finally, track results. Measure improvements over time, and adjust your approach based on what’s working—and what’s not.
29. 38% of organizations have no incident response plan for email attacks
That means more than a third of companies are flying blind when something goes wrong. No plan, no checklist, no defined steps.
And when every second counts, that’s a huge problem.
Your incident response plan doesn’t have to be a 100-page binder. It just needs to answer three big questions:
- What do we do when an email attack happens?
- Who’s responsible for each step?
- How do we contain and recover from the damage?
Create a simple flowchart. Include steps like isolating affected devices, resetting passwords, notifying legal/compliance, and communicating with your team or customers.
Test the plan. Run a tabletop exercise every few months. See how people respond. Update the plan based on what you learn.
Because during a real attack, confusion is your enemy—and a clear plan is your best friend.
30. Over 70% of email users can’t identify a spoofed sender address
This one is critical. The average person just sees the name in the “From” field—and that’s exactly what attackers are counting on.
If the email says it’s from “John – HR” or “Amazon Billing,” people often won’t think twice.
The fix? Teach people to check the actual email address—not just the display name. A spoof might say “support@amazon.com” in the header, but the real email address could be “amazon.helpdesk@notreallysafe.ru.”
You can also set up your email platform to show full addresses by default, instead of hiding them behind names.
Another trick: use visual warnings. Some systems allow you to add a banner that says “External email – verify the sender” or “This message may be suspicious.”
The more reminders users get, the more likely they’ll pause before responding to a fake email.
wrapping it up
Email may be one of the oldest digital tools we use, but it remains the frontline of today’s cybersecurity battles.
As these stats have shown, spam, spoofing, phishing, and malware aren’t just nuisances—they’re serious, evolving threats that can quietly dismantle trust, steal data, and cost your business millions.
