March 20, 2025

Phishing attacks escalating: how businesses can stay secure

Phishing in messengers –  a rising concern

Messenger phishing, a form of cyberattack that uses social engineering to deceive users, is on the rise and poses a significant threat to businesses worldwide. Unlike traditional email phishing, messenger attacks leverage the immediacy and trust associated with real-time communication, making them harder to detect and more effective.

According to cybersecurity experts, the problem is only going to escalate. In 2025, phishing attacks through messengers are becoming more sophisticated, leveraging AI to create highly convincing scams and bypass traditional security measures.

The consequences of falling victim to messenger phishing can be catastrophic. Businesses face financial losses, reputational damage, regulatory penalties, and the potential exposure of sensitive data. With the stakes so high, it’s critical for organizations to understand the threat and take proactive steps to protect themselves, – this is what we are going to talk about today.

Sixty percent of mid-sized businesses in the UK have fallen victim to fraud, with average financial losses reaching £245,000. Additionally, nearly 40% of surveyed companies reported a rise in fraud attempts compared to the previous year (BDO’s research).

How phishing in messengers works

Messenger phishing attacks often take the form of:

• Fake customer inquiries. Attackers pose as clients or partners to trick employees into sharing sensitive information.
• Impersonation of colleagues or executives. Cybercriminals create fake profiles or hijack accounts to send urgent requests for data or payments.
• Malicious links disguised as business updates. Employees are lured into clicking links that lead to fake login pages or malware downloads.

Unlike email, messengers often lack robust authentication mechanisms, making it easier for attackers to impersonate legitimate contacts. Additionally, people tend to trust messages received via familiar platforms, increasing the likelihood of falling for these scams.

The evolution of messenger phishing

Cybercriminals are constantly refining their tactics. Recent trends include:

• AI-generated messages. Attackers use AI to craft highly personalized and convincing messages, making it harder to distinguish between legitimate and fraudulent communications.
• Deepfake voice and video. Phishers are beginning to use AI-generated voice and video clips to impersonate executives or colleagues, adding a new layer of credibility to their scams.
• Automated attacks. Bots are being deployed to send phishing messages at scale, targeting thousands of users simultaneously.

These advancements mean that traditional security measures, such as spam filters and basic employee training, are no longer sufficient to combat the threat.

The impact of a successful phishing attack

Phishing attacks can lead to significant financial and reputational harm for businesses. The costs go beyond just lost funds, affecting operations, compliance, and customer trust. The key areas of impact include:

• Time required for recovery and mitigation  
• Harm to brand reputation  
• Theft of sensitive intellectual property  
• Direct financial losses  
• Regulatory fines and penalties  
• Expenses related to incident response and mitigation  
• Decreased revenue and customer attrition  
• Legal costs

Strengthening messenger security with advanced authorization solutions

To combat the growing threat of messenger phishing, businesses must adopt a multi-layered security approach. Here’s how advanced authorization solutions can help:

1. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

MFA adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to verify their identity through multiple methods (e.g., a password and a one-time code sent to their phone). This makes it significantly harder for attackers to gain unauthorized access.

2. AI-Powered anomaly detection

AI-driven systems can monitor user behavior in real-time, flagging suspicious activities such as unusual login attempts or unexpected changes in communication patterns.

3. Zero-Trust authentication

A zero-trust approach ensures that every user and device must be verified before accessing sensitive systems or data, even if they appear to be within the organization’s network.

4. End-to-End Encryption & Secure Login Mechanisms

By integrating end-to-end encryption and secure login features into corporate messaging tools, businesses can reduce the risk of phishing attacks and identity theft.

5. Employee training and awareness

While technology is critical, human vigilance remains the first line of defense. Regular training sessions can help employees recognize phishing attempts and respond appropriately.

ImLink authorization solutions

ImLink authorization solutions offer advanced verification technologies, including FlashCall, Voice OTP, and Telegram verification, to enhance security while ensuring a smooth user experience. FlashCall authentication validates users through an automatically generated call, eliminating the need for traditional SMS codes. Voice OTP delivers a one-time password via a voice message, providing an alternative for users in areas with poor SMS delivery. Additionally, Telegram verification leverages the messaging platform to authenticate users securely and efficiently. 

By integrating these innovative solutions, businesses can strengthen security, reduce fraud risks, and optimize the verification process for their customers.