Political Awareness

Note: Political Awareness’s published communication is never authorized by any candidate or their committees.

What Is Phishing?

Phishing is one of the oldest and most common types of cyberattacks. It happens when a scammer pretends to be someone you trust — like your bank, your boss, or a well-known company — to trick you into giving away sensitive information.

This usually comes in the form of an email or text message asking you to click on a link, download an attachment, enter your login details, or send payment. The attacker doesn’t need to hack your system — they just need you to be convinced enough to do it for them.

How Phishing Has Evolved in 2025

Phishing attacks today are more convincing than ever.

Criminals are now using artificial intelligence to create highly realistic emails that copy real writing styles, mimic official logos, and generate fake websites that look almost identical to the real ones.

These attacks can also be personalized using stolen or public data, such as your name, job title, or recent online activity. That makes them harder to spot — and easier to fall for.

Real-Life Case: Payroll Scam at a Local School District (2025)

In March 2025, employees at a school district in Ohio received emails that appeared to come from the human resources department. The messages claimed there was an issue with payroll and asked recipients to log in to a secure portal to verify their account details.

The portal looked completely legitimate, but it was fake. Over a dozen employees entered their credentials, unknowingly giving hackers access to their accounts.

This allowed the attackers to redirect payroll deposits to fraudulent bank accounts and to send more phishing emails from within the organization.

Before the breach was discovered, the district had lost nearly $300,000.

Why Should I Care?

Phishing is a threat that affects everyone, not just people who work in cybersecurity. If you use email or browse the internet, you’re a potential target.

Falling for a phishing scam can lead to identity theft, stolen paychecks or bank access, disruption at work, and exposure of sensitive or personal information.

With today’s more convincing scams, anyone can be fooled, regardless of age, education, or experience.

How to Protect Yourself and Your Workplace

To stay safe, it’s important to form smart online habits.

First, don’t automatically trust emails just because they look official. Check the sender’s address and read carefully for misspellings, odd phrasing, or formatting issues.

Always hover your mouse over links before clicking. If the web address seems unfamiliar or suspicious, don’t click it.

If you receive a request involving money, password resets, or sensitive information, call the sender using a known phone number to confirm it’s real.

Use multi-factor authentication whenever possible. Even if someone steals your password, a second step — like a code sent to your phone — can keep your account safe.

Finally, if something feels suspicious, report it. Let your IT department or manager know immediately. Acting early can protect others from being tricked, too.

What Can Organizations Do?

Organizations can strengthen their defenses by preparing their people.

Simulated phishing drills are a helpful way to build awareness without real consequences. Employees learn what to look for in a low-pressure setting.

Installing email filters can help block scam messages before they ever reach inboxes.

Frequent, simple training keeps cybersecurity top of mind and reduces the chance of error. Even a five-minute reminder every few months can make a difference.

Limiting access to sensitive systems also helps. If someone does fall for a scam, less access means less damage.

Most importantly, every organization should have a response plan. That way, when an attack does happen, the team knows what to do and how to respond quickly.