Cyber security has developed dramatically for charities over the years, evolving from simple firewalls to comprehensive solutions designed to tackle increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. Unfortunately, charities remain prime targets for phishing attacks due to their limited resources and the sensitive donor or beneficiary data they handle. Understanding the risks and taking steps to improve your charity’s cyber security is critical, especially as phishing attacks grow more common and deceptive.
Over 80% of charities have faced phishing attacks in the past year (Gov.uk), underscoring the urgent need for action. Phishing emails, phone calls, and even text messages often contain malicious links or attachments designed to steal confidential information. These phishing messages exploit vulnerabilities like grammatical errors in fake websites or misleading email addresses, putting charities at risk of fraud, data breaches, and reputational harm.
This blog will walk you through practical measures tailored to the nonprofit sector, helping you understand the threat landscape and implement preventative measures. Let’s take a step toward securing your charity against phishing scams today.
Understanding Phishing and Its Impact on Charities
What is Phishing?
Phishing is a cyber attack method in which criminals impersonate legitimate entities to trick recipients into revealing sensitive personal or financial information such as credit card numbers or login credentials. These attacks often come in the form of phishing emails, with messages designed to appear authentic. For charities, this could mean receiving a phishing email disguised as a request from a trusted partner or a fake website mimicking a donation platform to collect financial information.
Phishing has become one of the top cyber security trends in 2024 and is projected to remain a significant threat through 2025. Attackers have increasingly sophisticated tactics to deceive their targets. Grammatical errors, once a tell-tale sign of phishing emails, are now less common as cybercriminals refine their methods. Charities must stay vigilant to prevent phishing attacks aimed at exploiting their limited resources and valuable data.
The Impact of Phishing on Non-profits
The consequences of phishing attacks can be devastating. Financial losses are among the most immediate effects, as fraudulent transactions can drain funds from a charity. For example, a single phishing message containing a malicious link can lead to unauthorised withdrawals or purchases.
Data breaches are another significant impact. When phishing emails or malicious downloads result in unauthorised access to sensitive data, such as donor email addresses, the resulting breach can tarnish trust. Donors and beneficiaries may be reluctant to share information with an organisation that fails to protect it.
Phishing attacks also lead to reputational damage. A damaged reputation may deter donors, reducing the charity’s ability to serve its community effectively. Statistics highlight the scale of the problem: “Phishing is the most reported type of cyberattack, disrupting 62% of charities” (ICO).
To stop phishing and safeguard your organisation, charities must focus on proactive measures like identifying phishing emails, securing mobile devices, and encouraging staff to report phishing attempts immediately. Strengthening email security and ensuring scrutiny of email messages, attachments, and text messages are essential to preventing phishing attacks from causing further harm.
Recognising Phishing Attempts
The first and most critical step in protecting your charity from phishing attacks is learning to recognise them. Spotting a phishing attempt early can prevent phishing attacks before they compromise your charity’s email security, donor data, or finances. Phishing emails are crafted to deceive, but understanding their common traits can help your team identify and report phishing attempts effectively.
Common Indicators of Phishing Emails
Non-profits can train staff to identify phishing emails by looking out for these key signs:
- Suspicious Sender Domains: Phishing emails often use mismatched or generic email domains, such as [name]@charity-donation.biz, instead of a trusted domain like @charityname.org.
- Spelling and Grammar Mistakes: Many phishing emails contain grammatical errors, typos, or awkward phrasing, signalling that the email message isn’t legitimate.
- Generic Greetings: Phrases like “Dear Customer” or “Dear User” are a red flag. Legitimate organisations typically personalise communications with names or specific references.
- Urgency or Threatening Language: Phishing messages often try to create panic, using phrases like “Act now, or your account will be closed” to push recipients into quick action.
- Unexpected Attachments or Links: Be cautious of downloading attachments or clicking on malicious links, especially if they don’t match the context of the email or seem irrelevant.
- Mismatch Between Display Name and Email Domain: A sender’s display name may appear legitimate, but the actual email address could reveal a fake website or unauthorised source.
Recognising these indicators is essential to stopping phishing emails before they cause harm to your charity’s operations.
Real-World Examples Relevant to Charities
Phishing scams targeting charities often take advantage of their goodwill and reputation. Here are some common scenarios:
- Fake Emails Requesting Donations During Disasters: Cyber criminals may send phishing messages during crises, posing as your charity and soliciting donations through malicious links or fake websites.
- Impersonation of Board Members or High-Profile Donors: A phishing email might appear to come from a trusted source, such as a board member, requesting a transfer of funds or access to sensitive information. These requests are typically accompanied by a fraudulent email address or malicious links.
Charities must remain vigilant, train staff to identify suspicious email messages, and secure all communication channels, including mobile devices and social media. When in doubt, report phishing attempts promptly and verify requests through direct phone calls or alternate communication methods to protect your organisation from falling victim.
Implementing Preventative Measures
Preventing phishing attacks requires a strategic approach that combines education and awareness with robust technical defences. By empowering employees and leveraging the right tools, nonprofits can build a strong line of defence against these increasingly sophisticated threats.
Employee Training and Awareness
Lack of cyber security training for your staff and volunteers is among the top five causes of cyber attacks. Educating your team is one of the most effective ways to prevent phishing attacks. Regular training sessions help staff recognise phishing attacks and malicious links and understand the importance of verifying email addresses and attachments.
Key training practices include:
- Simulated Phishing Exercises: Test your team with realistic phishing email simulations to measure their awareness and improve their responses.
- Mandatory Cyber Security Modules: Cover essential topics like how to stop phishing emails, report phishing attempts, and avoid downloading suspicious attachments.
- Best Practices for Charity Cyber Security: Incorporate cyber security best practices into all training to ensure consistent application of security protocols.
Technical Defences
To complement staff training, charities must implement technical defences to secure their systems and prevent phishing attacks. Recommended tools and technologies include:
- Email Filtering Systems: Automatically block suspicious emails, phishing messages, and fake websites from reaching inboxes.
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Add an extra layer of security by requiring more than just a password to access accounts. Learn more about why every charity should use 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication).
- Antivirus and Anti-Malware Software: Detect and block malicious downloads and malware hidden in email messages or attachments.
- Regular Updates and Patches: Ensure software vulnerabilities are fixed promptly to reduce exposure to exploits.
- Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Solutions: Monitor mobile devices and workstations for suspicious activity in real time.
Developing a Response Plan
Even with preventative measures, phishing emails may still slip through. A prepared response plan ensures minimal damage and quick recovery. If your charity becomes a victim of a phishing attack, take these steps:
- Isolate the Affected System: Immediately disconnect compromised devices from the network to prevent further spread.
- Notify IT Personnel and Stakeholders: Inform your internal IT team and trusted managed cyber security provider to contain the attack.
- Report Phishing to Authorities: Notify the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and other relevant organisations as required.
- Recover Data: Use secure backups to restore lost data and minimise downtime.
By combining awareness, technical tools, and an actionable response plan, charities can prevent phishing attacks and maintain the trust of their donors and beneficiaries.
Leveraging External Resources
For charities, protecting against phishing attacks can feel daunting, particularly when resources and budgets are limited. However, leveraging external resources and partnerships can significantly alleviate these challenges. By accessing available guidance, funding, and expert services, non-profits can strengthen their defences without overstretching their teams.
Government and Non-profit Support
Charities have access to invaluable resources, such as the guidance provided by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). The NCSC offers actionable advice on defending against phishing and other cyber threats, tailored specifically for nonprofits.
Additionally, you can seek out grants for cyber security for charities. These grants help alleviate the financial strain of implementing email security measures, training staff, and adopting technologies to prevent phishing attacks.
By utilising these resources, nonprofits can better protect sensitive information like email addresses, donor credit card numbers, and social security numbers without compromising their budgets.
Collaborating with IT Security Experts
Partnering with IT cyber security professionals is another effective strategy for charities with limited internal expertise. Experienced experts can provide tailored solutions that address your specific needs, whether implementing multi-factor authentication to secure email addresses or deploying tools to block malicious links in email messages. Learn more about Qlic’s cyber security approach to discover how bespoke solutions can bolster your charity’s defences.
Managed IT service providers can help handle critical tasks like maintaining email security, monitoring for phishing messages, and ensuring mobile device protection. By partnering with providers like Qlic, your organisation gains access to expertise and advanced tools without the overhead of building an in-house team. Find out more about how managed IT services for charities can help your organisation thrive.
With the right support, charities can effectively stop phishing attempts, secure their data, and focus on making a positive impact in their communities.
Conclusion
Phishing attacks pose a significant threat to charities, targeting their valuable data, financial resources, and trust within the community. However, by prioritising vigilance, staff training, and implementing robust security measures, nonprofits can effectively prevent phishing attacks and protect their critical operations.
From recognising phishing emails and training staff to using advanced security tools and developing a clear response plan, every proactive step strengthens your charity’s defences. Leveraging external resources, including government support, cyber security grants, and managed IT service providers, can provide the extra help needed to overcome the challenges of limited budgets and expertise.
By taking action now, your charity can safeguard its mission, protect its stakeholders, and continue to serve its community confidently. For tailored support and expert guidance, reach out to Qlic’s cyber security specialists today. We can build a secure and resilient foundation for your organisation’s future.
Get in Touch
Would your charity like to improve its cyber security and learn how to stop phishing emails effectively? Get in touch with the team at Qlic here.
