by Charles Oropallo | Jun 14, 2025 | Email, Security
Here’s the uncomfortable truth: your business emails probably aren’t as private as you think. If you’re using Gmail, Yahoo, or Outlook for sensitive communications, you’re essentially trading your privacy for convenience. Most people assume their emails are protected, but the reality is far more concerning.
Think about what’s connected to your email accounts. Banking notifications, client contracts, internal discussions, vendor communications, all flowing through systems that treat your messages as data to be analyzed and monetized.
Why Your “Private” Email Isn’t Actually Private
Most popular email services scan your inbox content, track your behavior, and monetize your data. This practice is buried in lengthy terms of service that few people read. Gmail, for instance, lacks end-to-end encryption and actively analyzes user data for targeted advertising.
Here’s what actually happens to your emails:
- Content gets scanned for advertising insights
- Metadata gets collected and stored indefinitely
- Behavioral patterns get tracked across services
- Your data becomes a product to be sold
The global Email Encryption market jumped from $11.9 billion in 2024 to a projected $36.2 billion by 2030. That’s not coincidence, it’s people waking up to privacy reality.
What Real Email Privacy Actually Looks Like
True email privacy requires specific technical safeguards that most providers simply don’t offer. Here’s what genuinely private email includes:
Zero-access encryption means even your email provider can’t read your messages. Your emails get encrypted directly on your device before transmission. Only the intended recipient can decrypt them.
No data mining ensures your communications can’t be sold or analyzed for advertising. Your messages remain yours alone.
Secure signup processes keep your account creation details private. No sharing with third parties or cross-platform tracking.
Disposable addresses let you create temporary email addresses for specific purposes. This reduces your digital footprint and protects your primary inbox from spam.
The Growing Threat Landscape Targeting Your Business
Email security in 2025 is deteriorating rapidly. Cyber criminals send an estimated 3.4 billion malicious emails daily. That’s not a typo: billion with a ‘B’. And 87% of security professionals report their organizations encountered AI-driven cyber attacks in the last year.
Business Email Compromise (BEC) attacks represent the biggest threat to your bottom line. These attacks accounted for 73% of all reported cyber incidents in 2024. Even small companies face serious risk: businesses with fewer than 1,000 employees have a 70% weekly probability of experiencing at least one BEC attack.
The financial damage is staggering. BEC attacks cost an average of $4.89 million per incident. The average wire transfer request in a BEC attack was $24,586 at the start of 2025. Among organizations working with Managed Service Providers, one in five lost money through BEC attacks over the previous 12 months.
Specific Threats Targeting Your Inbox Right Now
Phishing remains the top concern for IT leaders, with 47% ranking it as their primary worry. Approximately 66% of phishing attempts target organizational resources using credential theft and fake billing documents. The remaining 34% go after personal information, particularly financial data.
Microsoft 365 users face heightened risk. A concerning 79% of M365 users experienced cyber incidents in 2025. In healthcare specifically, 52% of breaches now occur on Microsoft 365: up from 43% in 2024.
Pretexting attacks nearly doubled in frequency last year. These sophisticated impersonation tactics fool employees into believing they’re communicating with trusted executives or partners. Attackers research their targets extensively before striking.
Small businesses get hit hardest because they often lack dedicated IT security staff. For every 323 emails a small business receives, one contains malware or phishing attempts.
For more specific guidance on email security measures, check out our detailed guide at The CW Corner Email Security.
What Email Security Protocols Actually Protect
Proper email security establishes three fundamental protections that work together:
Confidentiality ensures only intended recipients can read your email content. This involves encryption during transmission and storage.
Integrity guarantees your message arrives exactly as you sent it. No tampering or modification occurs during delivery.
Authenticity proves emails actually come from their claimed sender. This prevents spoofing and impersonation attacks.
Organizations implementing comprehensive email security protocols experience 70% fewer successful email-based attacks compared to those with minimal protections. The investment pays for itself quickly when you consider the average cost of a single breach.
Taking Action: What You Can Do Today
Don’t wait for a security incident to force your hand. Here are immediate steps you can take:
Evaluate your current email provider honestly. If you’re using free services for business communications, you’re accepting significant privacy and security risks.
Implement multi-factor authentication on all email accounts immediately. This single step prevents most credential-based attacks.
Train your team to recognize phishing attempts and BEC tactics. 95% of security leaders expect to encounter email security problems this year: preparation matters.
Consider encrypted email services for sensitive communications. The cost is minimal compared to potential breach expenses.
Establish clear protocols for financial requests and vendor communications. Verify all wire transfer requests through separate communication channels.
The Bottom Line on Email Privacy and Security
In 2025, assuming your emails are private or secure without taking specific action is dangerous. The old trade of convenience for privacy is no longer acceptable when cyber threats evolve at unprecedented speed.
Privacy-focused email services with end-to-end encryption, combined with proper security awareness training and technical controls, aren’t luxuries: they’re business necessities. Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur or managing a team, your email security directly impacts your financial security.
The question isn’t whether you need to worry about email privacy and security. The question is whether you’re willing to take action before becoming another statistic. Start with one improvement today, then build from there. Your future self will thank you for taking email security seriously now rather than learning its importance the hard way.
For more security guidance and web development insights, visit us at The CharlesWorks Corner. Don’t risk potential losses when practical solutions exist.
by Charles Oropallo | May 17, 2025 | Internet, Security
Cybercriminals are getting smarter every day. They’re not just sending those obvious “Nigerian Prince” emails anymore. Today’s scammers use sophisticated tactics that can fool even tech-savvy people.
Let’s break down the three main types of social engineering attacks you need to know about. We’ll cover phishing, smishing, and vishing – plus some sneaky new tricks that emerged in 2025.
What’s the Difference Between Phishing, Smishing, and Vishing?
Think of these three methods as different doors criminals use to break into your digital life. Each one targets a different communication channel you use every day.
Phishing happens through email and fake websites. Scammers impersonate trusted companies like your bank or Amazon. They’ll send urgent messages claiming your account needs immediate attention. The goal? Get you to click malicious links or download infected attachments.
Smishing uses text messages and messaging apps like WhatsApp. These texts often claim your package is delayed or your account is compromised. They include suspicious links that steal your information when clicked.
Vishing involves phone calls or voicemails. Scammers pretend to be from your bank, tech support, or government agencies. They use high-pressure tactics to make you reveal passwords or account numbers over the phone.
How Phishing Really Works (It’s More Clever Than You Think)
Modern phishing emails look incredibly convincing. Scammers copy official logos, use proper grammar, and mirror legitimate company websites perfectly.
Here’s a real example: You receive an email from “PayPal” saying someone tried to access your account. The email looks authentic, complete with PayPal’s logo and formatting. It includes a link to “verify your identity.”
But when you click that link, you land on a fake PayPal login page. The moment you enter your credentials, criminals capture them. Within minutes, they’re accessing your real PayPal account.
The scary part? These fake websites often use HTTPS encryption, so you’ll see that “secure” lock icon in your browser. Don’t let that fool you – criminals can get SSL certificates too.
Smishing: Why Text Message Scams Work So Well
People trust text messages more than emails. We’re conditioned to respond quickly to texts, especially ones that seem urgent.
Smishing attacks often use shortened URLs like bit.ly links. These hide the real destination, making it impossible to see where you’re actually going. The messages create artificial urgency: “Your package will be returned if you don’t respond in 24 hours!”
Here’s what makes smishing particularly dangerous: Most people don’t have security software on their phones like they do on computers. This makes mobile devices easier targets for malicious websites and downloads.
Think about how many important accounts are linked to your phone number. Your bank, email, social media – they all send verification codes via text. Criminals know this and exploit it ruthlessly.
Vishing: The Human Touch That Breaks Down Your Defenses
Voice phishing feels the most personal and urgent. There’s something about hearing another person’s voice that makes threats feel real and immediate.
Skilled vishers study their targets beforehand. They might know your name, where you bank, or recent purchases you’ve made. This inside knowledge makes their calls incredibly convincing.
Caller ID spoofing makes these calls appear to come from legitimate numbers. Your phone might display your bank’s actual customer service line, even though the call is coming from a criminal’s burner phone.
The pressure tactics are intense. They’ll claim your account has been compromised and you need to verify information “right now” to prevent further damage. They might transfer you between different “departments” to make the scam feel more authentic.
The New Tricks Criminals Started Using in 2025
Artificial Intelligence changed the game completely. AI-powered phishing creates personalized messages that perfectly mimic your colleagues’ or friends’ writing styles. These aren’t generic scam emails – they’re tailored specifically for you.
Clone Phishing takes emails you’ve actually received before and creates malicious copies. Remember that legitimate email from your bank last month? Criminals recreate it exactly, but replace the links with dangerous ones. Since you recognize the format, you’re more likely to trust it.
Business Email Compromise (BEC) targets companies by impersonating executives. An employee receives an email that appears to come from their CEO, requesting an urgent wire transfer or asking for sensitive customer data. These attacks often don’t include any attachments – they rely purely on social manipulation.
Deepfake voice technology now lets criminals clone someone’s voice from just a few minutes of audio. They might call pretending to be your boss, using AI-generated speech that sounds exactly like them.
Red Flags That Scream “This Is a Scam”
Your gut instinct is often right. If something feels off, it probably is. Here are specific warning signs to watch for:
Urgent language designed to bypass your critical thinking. Phrases like “immediate action required,” “account will be closed,” or “respond within 24 hours” are huge red flags.
Requests for sensitive information through email or text. Legitimate companies never ask for passwords, Social Security numbers, or account details this way. They already have this information.
Generic greetings like “Dear Customer” instead of using your actual name. Real companies typically address you personally in important communications.
Shortened URLs or suspicious links. Hover over any link before clicking to see where it actually goes. Be especially wary of URLs with random characters or unfamiliar domains.
Grammar and spelling mistakes in messages from “professional” organizations. While scammers have gotten better at this, many still make obvious errors.
Your Defense Strategy: Simple Steps That Actually Work
For email phishing: Never click links in suspicious emails. Instead, go directly to the company’s website by typing their URL into your browser. If the issue is real, you’ll see it when you log into your account normally.
For smishing: Don’t click text message links from unknown numbers. If the message claims to be from a company you do business with, use their official app or website instead.
For vishing: Hang up and call back using the official number from the company’s website. Real representatives won’t mind you verifying their identity this way.
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on all important accounts. Even if criminals steal your password, they won’t be able to access your accounts without the second verification step.
Keep your software updated. This includes your operating system, web browser, and antivirus programs. Updates often fix security vulnerabilities that criminals exploit.
When in Doubt, Verify Through a Different Channel
Here’s the golden rule: If someone contacts you claiming there’s a problem, verify it independently. Don’t use the contact information they provide – look it up yourself.
Call your bank using the number on your debit card. Log into your accounts directly rather than clicking email links. Check with IT before responding to urgent requests from “executives.”
This simple habit will protect you from 99% of social engineering attacks. Criminals count on you responding immediately without thinking it through.
Protecting Your Business and Family
Share this information with your employees and family members. Cybercriminals often target less tech-savvy individuals to get access to business networks or family finances.
Create a family or workplace policy: Never give out sensitive information over the phone or via email without verification. Make it clear that taking time to verify suspicious requests is always acceptable.
Consider using a password manager and teaching others to do the same. This makes it much harder for criminals to access multiple accounts even if they steal one password.
Remember, you don’t have to become a cybersecurity expert to stay safe. Following these basic guidelines and trusting your instincts will keep you ahead of most scammers.
If you’re concerned about your business’s email security or need help implementing better protection policies, our email security consulting services can help you create a comprehensive defense strategy.
The key is staying informed and remaining skeptical of unsolicited contacts asking for information or immediate action. When criminals can’t pressure you into quick decisions, their tactics usually fail.
by Charles Oropallo | Jun 30, 2022 | Do-It-Yourself, Email, Internet, Passwords, Security, Website Updates, WordPress
We at CharlesWorks are often asked by our web clients if their site is protected from malware and getting hacked. They also want to know if there site IS hacked, whether there be a charge to fix it.
The totally hack-proof website
The totally hack proof website has no access to it. So it’s not connected to the Internet. No one can view it. Such a website doesn’t sound like its of much use if no one can see it.
So, let’s agree that it is unrealistic to believe that a publicly accessible website can be totally hack-proof. Any website that is accessible via the public Internet is consistently subjected to attempts to break into it. Believe it or not, that’s the norm as opposed to the anomaly.
That being said, however, there ARE things you can do to mitigate website hacks. I have to stress the word mitigate here. Mitigation is defined as the action of reducing the severity, seriousness, or painfulness of something.
Site hacks are based on odds
My goal here is to simply remind you of what you most likely already know: that we can reduce the probability – the odds – of your site being hacked. We at CharlesWorks want that probability to be so low that it hopefully it doesn’t ever happen to you.
The major hacking causes
I have been operating CharlesWorks since 1998. In my experience, there appear to be two major reasons why sites get hacked:
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- The access credentials/passwords have been compromised.
- The software that operates them wasn’t kept up to date.
Lets take a look at each of these below.
Compromised Access Credentials
Compromised passwords and bad actors gaining access to website login credentials is the major reason we see sites hacked. Think about this in terms of your car. You could have alarms on it. But if you make a copy of your car key and give it to someone, they can do whatever they like with the car. Whether its a drive along the beach or to rob a bank, your car is theirs to use with the key you gave them. Credentials – log in and passwords – work pretty much the same way.
CharlesWorks has many clients who want to be able to do things themselves. We are strong proponents of doing it yourself when it’s feasible and convenient. This is especially true for adding posts or page materials. It also makes sense when making other changes or modifications to your site. It is, after all, YOUR website.
However, many people fall prey to phishing schemes. Directly or indirectly, they usually end up tricked into giving out their website access credentials (as well as credentials to everything else they own). This is especially true if your email account is hacked and the hackers are able to access emails containing your website’s (and other) login credentials.
This problem is exacerbated if you have shared your website’s administrative or other access with others. Think of your emails containing various authorizations or login information as a potential weak link in a chain. If you have shared that information with others you have now created more weak links. This increases the odds of a potential compromise.
One of the best ways to mitigate these situations is to change your site’s access passwords so they are different than those possibly stored in your emails. And, to hope that anyone you may have shared your website access with has done the same.
Obviously, should site access be gained in such a manner, it would be your burden to have the site restored. I’ll expound upon this a little more at the end of this article.
Out of Date Security/Software Updates
Malware and virus protection on home computers operates a little differently than the same types of protection on servers. Website servers operate in the publicly accessible Internet. This results in many more entry points for potential issues. There are a number of very standard server protections available (which we utilize here at CharlesWorks).
After bad actors getting (or guessing) your passwords, the next major reason sites get hacked surrounds unapplied security updates and other software update issues. At CharlesWorks we mitigate such issues by running anti-malware software on our servers. Also, WordPress sites hosted on our servers are kept up to date automatically via automatic updating of the WordPress core as well as automatic updating of the the website’s plugins and themes.
There are literally thousands of individual pieces of software that must work in unison to operate most websites. These are developed by many more thousands of developers around the world. Unfortunately, no company can guarantee that a website will never get hacked. They can only mitigate security compromises and hope against the worst.
Restoring your Website
Regardless of which of the two situations above may have led to your website’s issues, your website will most likely need to be restored. That’s because after a bad actor or a hack back doors into the site will most likely have been installed for the bad actors to gain access again.
Many Internet companies claim to have automatic backups. In most of those, those backups are accessible to the user in their account. If the account is hacked, how safe do you suppose that is?
Some Internet companies delete and account upon a website being hacked. In those cases I have seen many left with no website or backup as a result.
What I believe is most important regarding this topic is the manner in which our WordPress sites are backed up every day for 30 days. Our backups are made to separate servers – external to those your the site operates on. For security reasons, the site administrators do not have access to these backups. So even with a site administrator’s compromised passwords there is no access to the backups. With these backups we can usually restore an average site in about 10-30 minutes if it needs restoring. And we can go back as far back as 30 days. We would only bill our web client for the 10-30 minutes (again – for an average website) which results in only a minor charge to restore it. Note that some websites are extremely large and require much more time to restore but these are very rare).
In my experience running CharlesWorks since 1998, we’ve built and handled more than 5,000 websites. At this point in time, I do not recall the last time a website we built and totally maintained was hacked (unfortunately I recall several instances of sites maintained by others that failed to ensure the site was updated and/or had their passwords compromised).
Sites getting hacked for out of date software happens far less frequently (if at all) when security updates are kept up to date and bad actors are kept out.
I hope this helps you understand a little more about this topic.
by Charles Oropallo | Oct 30, 2019 | Email, Internet, Monadnock Shopper News, Shopper News, The CW Corner
It’s Halloween time again so I thought I’d mention Halloween Spoofs! Well, actually email spoofing happens year round.
An example of spoofing is when emails are sent that are addressed from you (and maybe to you) but you didn’t send them. In that case your address has been “spoofed”.
Spammers and scammers alike do this. There are a couple reasons it’s done.
Sometimes it is malicious. Let’s say someone goes onto numerous websites to sign up for information as XYZ Company. So a ton of spam is sent to XYZ. XYZ finds itself barraged with email and phone spam – wasting lots of their time.
More often XYZ is spoofed to appear to be the sender of spam. Folks local to XYZ are more likely to open the spoofed emails. The spam really isn’t from XYZ – just made to look like it is. So recipients think XYZ is spamming them. They’re annoyed with XYZ and report them as spammers and complain and so on.
Fortunately, spoofing doesn’t account for most Internet issues. It just makes life miserable for XYZ – the target – for a while.
The good news is that usually spoofing usually only lasts a few days. The actual sending server is identified and blocked or shut down.
Always report these issues to your email administrator. Early intervention saves lots of headaches in the long term.
by Charles Oropallo | Sep 18, 2019 | Internet, Monadnock Shopper News, Shopper News, The CW Corner
When working in the web world as I do, Internet scams appear to be everywhere.
Phishing is defined as the act of attempting to trick the recipient of a malicious email into opening and engaging with it.
It’s amazing how people fall for phishing scams. They fall for them mostly because the emails are designed to appear like the writer isn’t too bright. So immediately the recipient thinks they have the upper hand. Many count on the recipient’s greed – believing they’ll get something for nothing.
The bad guys that develop these schemes are experts. All they do is work scams – day and night. They wouldn’t continue if it didn’t pay off in the long run.
I read someplace that billions of dollars annually are conned out of people through the various scams out there on the Internet. For the most part – I hate to say – they can’t be stopped. They are sent from all types of email addresses, all types of servers, from all over the world.
Bottom line is that you should keep deleting them. The best course of action is to stop responding to them and opening them. Report them as spam or report them as phishing attempts. Your email provider may provide insight with how to do this. They will ultimately stop coming.
Remember that if the bad guys can’t trick you into parting with your money they will focus on someone else – until they find someone who does. Just don’t be that someone.
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