The Real Reason You Keep Getting Phishing Emails

Phishing emails are very annoying. You check your Inbox, and suddenly there's a weird message that “Your Amazon account is locked!” or an email from your boss asking you to “Buy gift card ASAP!” Most people know these are fake, but still, they keep coming. Why?  The truth is simple: Hackers and scammers send these messages because they work. And it’s a numbers game. If they send one email, nobody clicks. But if they send 1,000 or even 100,000 emails, if just one person clicks the link or shares a password, they win. They don’t care who you are. They just want you to make a mistake.

Your email might already be on a list that hackers use. So many companies have had their information leaked, and this is not your fault. It happens to huge organizations that pay a pretty penny for security. Why? Because we are human, and humans make mistakes. Phishing emails can look real – they use real logos, they use names like Netflix, UPS or PayPal. And now, with AI tools, it’s even easier for scammers to craft those messages.

So, what can you do? Just be careful. Take your time. ALWAYS check and email address to see who is sending you an email. Don’t click a link if any part of the email looks strange. And if you’re not sure, ask someone before opening it.

Lately at Birds on a Cable, security has been at the center of discussion. The human element is so important but often overlooked. We started doing some basic training in cybersecurity and social awareness – ask us about it.