Is that email really from Microsoft?

“My Business is Getting Spam Emails!” – Here's What to Do About Phishing in 2025

When an email from Microsoft lands in your inbox, you probably don't think twice about opening it. It’s Microsoft tech royalty, right? The Bill Gates of branding. Trustworthy, familiar… or so you’d hope.

But what if that email wasn’t from Microsoft at all?

Brace yourself: in 2025, cybercriminals are using big brand names like Microsoft, Apple and Google to launch some of the most convincing phishing scams we've ever seen.

And guess what?

Microsoft is now the most impersonated company in phishing scams worldwide.

That’s not us being dramatic - it’s backed by hard data. According to recent cybersecurity research, 36% of brand-related phishing attacks in early 2025 were pretending to be Microsoft.

That’s over a third of fake-brand emails.

And it’s not just Microsoft. Google and Apple are right behind, with scammers using their names to trick employees and business owners every single day.

So, if your business has been shouting “Help! My inbox is full of spam emails!” - you’re not alone.

Need urgent assistance with your spam emails? Contact us now.

What Exactly Is a Phishing Email?

Let’s break it down real quick.

A phishing email is a fake message that pretends to be from a trusted company — Microsoft, your bank, HMRC, Amazon, even your own boss. It’s designed to:

• Get you to click on a dodgy link
• Open a malicious attachment
• Or worse… hand over sensitive info (like login details, card numbers, or client data)

Once you bite the bait, it’s game over:

• Systems get infected
• Bank accounts get emptied
• Company data gets leaked
• You spend hours (and money) cleaning up the mess

Fun times, right?

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But Phishing Emails Don’t Look Like Spam Anymore

Let’s be honest — back in the day, phishing emails were laughably bad.

We’re talking:

• ALL CAPS
• "URGENT BUSINESS PROPOSAL FROM PRINCE OF NIGERIA"
• Terrible spelling, pixelated logos, and links that screamed “Click me if you’re a muppet.”

But in 2025? These scams are dangerously convincing.

Cybercriminals are now:

• Spoofing real email addresses (e.g. support@micros0ft.com – sneaky, right?)
• Copying official branding and logos to the pixel
• Setting up fake websites that look identical to the real thing

Just this year, security researchers flagged a wave of fake Mastercard sites tricking people into entering their card details. Clean, professional, believable — and 100% fake.

How to Tell If That Microsoft Email Is a Scam

Here’s your no-nonsense checklist. If you're ever unsure, follow this:

1. It Feels Urgent

“ACT NOW or your account will be suspended!”
Red flag. Real companies don’t threaten you like that.

2. The Email Address Looks... Off

Look closer. Is it microsoft.com or micros0ft.com?
That tiny “0” instead of “o” can cost you everything.

3. The Links Are Suspicious

Hover over any link (but don’t click it). If it doesn’t go to an official domain, bin it.

4. They’re Asking for Sensitive Info

Microsoft, Apple, banks, even HMRC will never ask for your login details or credit card in an email.

5. The Design Feels a Bit... Meh

If the logo looks off-centre, fonts are mismatched, or something feels fishy — it probably is.

Top Tips to Protect Your Business from Phishing

Here's what we recommend for all our clients across Essex and the UK:

1. Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Even if someone gets your password, MFA adds a second lock.
Think fingerprint + PIN — double trouble for scammers.

2. Train Your Team Regularly

One wrong click from a staff member and the whole network could be exposed. We offer cybersecurity awareness training to keep your team sharp and scam-savvy.

3. Use Email Filtering & Threat Detection

Get a proper spam filter. Not the freebie one that comes with Outlook.
We set up enterprise-level email security for our clients to catch threats before they reach your inbox.

4. Keep Software Up to Date

Those annoying little updates? They’re patching vulnerabilities hackers love to exploit.

5. Work With an IT Partner Who Actually Cares

(👋 That’s us.)

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“Okay, But My Business is STILL Getting Spam Emails…”

If your inbox is getting battered daily, something’s not right under the hood.

Here’s what we can do for you:

🔍 Free email security audit
💻 Install advanced anti-phishing tools
📚 Train your team on what to look for
🔒 Set up proper data backups and MFA
🛠️ Ongoing IT support – with actual humans (not bots)

Real Talk: Don’t Wait Until You Get Scammed

Phishing scams are like potholes. You can ignore them for a bit… until you fall in.

And in 2025, these scams are:

• More advanced
• Harder to spot
• Targeting small businesses more than ever

Big brands = big bait. And criminals know it.

So whether you're in retail, finance, healthcare, or just trying to run your business in peace — make sure your team’s not one click away from chaos.

Want to Stay One Step Ahead?

If your business is sick of spam emails or you’re worried a fake Microsoft message might slip through the net…

Let’s fix it.
We’re experts in phishing protection for small businesses, IT security, and cyber resilience strategies across Essex and beyond.

📞 Call us
📧 Drop us a message
🔐 Or book a free IT security audit today

Your inbox - and your bank account - will thank you later.

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