February is the month of love, but it's also a time when cybercriminals are actively spreading their malicious campaigns. Let’s show them no love! Instead, let's look at five phishing email templates that you can use to train your employees to identify and avoid these threats.
Download these phishing templates for your in-person security awareness training materials!
AI Anxiety
Scenario: Employees receive an email about a new AI tool that everyone is raving about.
It's free, it can connect to your email and messaging apps, and it can help you with presentations, reports, and even achieving inbox zero. Sounds too good to be true, right? That's because it probably is. This email is designed to exploit the hype around AI and lure you into clicking a malicious link.
The Hook: This email capitalizes on the fear of missing out (FOMO).
It plays on the recipient's desire to stay ahead of the curve and take advantage of the latest technological advancements. The promise of a free tool that can enhance productivity and simplify tasks makes it even more enticing.
Real-world risk: Clicking on the link could lead to the installation of malware or the theft of your login credentials as you connect it to your accounts.
Tips for spotting this phish:
- Be wary of emails that promote "free" tools or services, especially if they seem too good to be true and aren’t explicitly approved for use.
- Always verify the legitimacy of any new tools or services before using them.
- Be cautious of emails that create a sense of urgency or pressure you to act quickly.
Toll Trouble
Scenario: You receive an email claiming to be from E-ZPass, stating that you have an unpaid toll bill and a late fee will be applied if you don't pay immediately. The email includes a link to "Review & Pay". This type of email can easily trigger panic, especially if you frequently use toll roads.
The Hook: The email includes a link to “Review & Pay,” making recipients worry about unpaid charges—especially those who frequently use toll roads. It also plays on curiosity by suggesting they can view a picture of the vehicle that incurred the bill. After all, who wouldn’t want visual confirmation to validate the charge?
Real-world risk: Clicking the link could take you to a fake website designed to steal your credit card information or other personal details.
Tips for spotting this phish:
- Be suspicious of emails that demand immediate payment or threaten negative consequences.
- Always verify the legitimacy of any payment requests before making a payment.
- Check your account statements regularly for any discrepancies or unauthorized charges.
Payment Panic
Scenario: An email arrives from PayPal, informing you of a recent Bitcoin purchase from Coinbase. The email includes a chat transcript where a "customer" (supposedly you) confirms the purchase. There's a big "Cancel Payment" button at the bottom. The catch? You never made this purchase! This type of email preys on your fear of unauthorized transactions.
The Hook: This email uses a false sense of security and urgency to trick the recipient. The chat transcript creates a false sense of legitimacy, while the "Cancel Payment" button implies that the recipient can easily resolve the issue.
Real-world risk: Clicking the "Cancel Payment" button could lead to a phishing site designed to steal your PayPal login credentials or other sensitive information.
Tips for spotting this phish:
- Be cautious of emails that include unexpected attachments or links, even if they appear to be from trusted sources.
- If you’ve never received this type of email before, always consider the possibility that it could be malicious. Taking a minute to check for warning signs is never time wasted.
Time-off Trickery
Scenario: You receive an email from HR with the subject line "Time-off request - New Comment." It states that there's a new comment on your time-off request and provides a link to "View comment". This email is particularly tempting because it plays on our natural curiosity and desire to know if your plans have been affected.
The Hook: This email exploits the recipient's curiosity and desire for information. The subject line creates a sense of intrigue, while the promise of a new comment on a time-off request entices the recipient to click on the link.
Real-world risk: Clicking the link could lead to a fake company intranet portal designed to steal your login credentials or infect your device with malware.
Tips for spotting this phish:
- Be cautious of emails that contain unexpected or unusual requests.
- Always verify the sender's email address and domain before clicking on any links.
- If you have any questions about your time-off request, communicate with HR directly through official channels.
Video Vulnerability
Scenario: An email from YouTube arrives with the subject line "YouTube - This is sooo you!" It claims that someone has shared a hilarious video with you and includes a link to "Watch now". This email preys on our natural curiosity and desire to connect with others.
The Hook: This email uses a personalized approach to trigger the recipient's curiosity. The subject line suggests that the video is specifically relevant to the recipient, making them more likely to click on the link.
Real-world risk: Clicking the link could take you to a fake YouTube page designed to steal your login credentials or infect your device with malware.
Tips for spotting this phish:
- Be careful about clicking on links in emails, even if they appear to be from trusted sources.
- Hover over links to check the destination URL before clicking.
- Be wary of emails that use generic greetings or impersonal language.
Stay Vigilant in 2025
Phishing attacks evolve constantly, and cybercriminals exploit trust, urgency, and curiosity to trick even the most cautious users. Integrating these phishing scenarios into your training programs will keep your team vigilant and prepared for the tactics they’re likely to encounter in 2025.
Want to explore more phishing simulations? Browse our blog for additional templates, and stay ahead of cyber threats with our curated training resources.
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