Phishing has been a go-to tactic for cybercriminals since the mid-1990s, and it shows no signs of slowing down. While the underlying concept remains the same, tricking someone into handing over sensitive information, the methods have become more sophisticated, thanks in large part to advances in AI and deepfake technology.
The biggest increase in reported losses in 2025 came from phishing scams, which involve scammers impersonating entities such as government agencies or financial institutions, which accounted for $13.7 million in financial losses.
While the basic concept has stayed the same, the tactics employed by cyber criminals have evolved with time. With advancements in technology, these attacks are quickly becoming more realistic. Here is our list of the most dangerous types of phishing scams.
1. Deepfake Phishing Attacks
Deepfake technology has advanced rapidly and so have the risks. Today, attackers can convincingly replicate a CEO’s voice or even produce a synthetic video of them requesting a sensitive transaction.
The first major case of AI voice fraud made headlines in 2019, costing a company over $240,000. Fast forward to 2025, and deepfake-enabled scams are targeting everything from finance approvals to legal document requests.
How to protect yourself:
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Always verify voice-based requests using a second communication channel
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Don’t rely on caller ID or audio cues alone
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Consider voice biometrics or verification protocols for high-risk transactions
2. Extortion Emails
Extortion scams play on fear and embarrassment and they’re still a favourite for opportunistic attackers. The typical method involves spoofing your email address and claiming access to compromising images or videos, demanding a ransom to prevent their release.
In recent years, attackers have even begun incorporating real breached data (like old passwords) to make their threats more believable.
What to do:
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Never pay the ransom
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Don’t reply or engage
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Change your passwords immediately, especially if the email mentions one you recognise
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Report the email to your cyber security team or local authorities
3. AI-Powered Spear Phishing
Spear phishing isn’t new, but AI is making it dangerously efficient. In the past, attackers had to research each target manually. Now, AI tools can scrape social media, public documents, and leaked databases to craft highly personalised, convincing emails in seconds.
These scams are often harder to detect and more effective, because they’re tailored to your role, your habits, or even your writing style.
How to stay protected:
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Train staff to spot unusually urgent or well-crafted phishing messages
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Implement advanced email filtering tools with AI threat detection
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Use multifactor authentication to limit the damage of a compromised account
How to Protect Your Business from Phishing
Phishing isn’t going away, but your exposure to it can be dramatically reduced with the right approach.
Key defences include:
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Regular security awareness training tailored to current threats
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Email security software with sandboxing and AI-based detection
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MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication) across all critical systems
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Password managers and regular credential updates
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An incident response plan for when (not if) something gets through
If you suspect you've been targeted or compromised, don’t wait. Report it immediately and isolate the affected systems.
Phishing scams are becoming more convincing, more targeted, and more frequent and the consequences are growing, too. Whether it’s financial loss, data exposure, or reputational damage, the cost of inaction is simply too high. Staying ahead of these threats means taking a proactive, layered approach to email and identity security and making sure your team is part of that defence.
Need help defending against phishing threats?
At The Missing Link, we help organisations detect, respond to, and prevent phishing attacks using a mix of technology, training, and tailored strategy.
Get in touch to strengthen your defences today.
