Email is something we use so casually every day that it’s easy to forget how risky it actually is. It’s familiar, convenient and reliable for communication, but it’s also the entry point for most cyberattacks worldwide. Hackers love email because it gives them direct access to the people in your organisation. And when even one person slips up, the consequences can be severe.
That’s why having a solid email security service is no longer optional. It’s a must-have, especially now that attackers have access to smarter tools, AI-driven tactics and more opportunities than ever to trick users.
Below are ten reasons email continues to be the #1 entry point for cyberattacks plus straightforward solutions for each problem.
1. Email is easy to impersonate
Anyone can make an email look like it came from someone else. Attackers tweak display names, change just one letter in an address, or copy the tone of internal messages. Because most people don’t check every detail, fake emails can slip in unnoticed.
Solution: Strengthen identity checks
Authentication tools such as SPF (Sender Policy Framework), DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) and DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance) help prove whether an email actually came from the source it claims. This significantly limits spoofing attempts. When these settings are paired with intelligent filtering, it becomes easier to stop impersonation before it reaches inboxes. This is something a strong email security service handles automatically.
2. Everyone uses email
Employees depend on email for internal updates, partner communication, approvals, scheduling—you name it. The sheer volume of daily messages gives attackers endless opportunities to blend in with legitimate traffic.
Solution: Filter early and filter often
Gateway filtering reduces how many suspicious or irrelevant emails your team has to deal with. If a majority of bad emails never reach users, the risk naturally drops.
3. Email attachments are an easy hiding place
Malware is often tucked inside files that look ordinary: PDFs, spreadsheets, slides, even “urgent reports.” These attachments may contain dangerous scripts designed to activate the moment someone opens them.
Solution: Scan attachments before users touch them
Attachment scanning and sandboxing examine files in a safe, isolated environment. If something looks risky, it’s blocked. When this is included in your email threat protection, employees can open legitimate files without second-guessing everything.
4. It only takes one click
Even the most careful person can slip when they’re tired, busy, or in a rush. Attackers count on this. One mistaken click on a link can lead to credential theft, ransomware downloads or compromised accounts.
Solution: Use smart click protection
AI-based scanning, URL rewriting and real-time link checks help prevent damage from accidental clicks. A strong email security service catches suspicious links at the moment someone tries to access them rather than after the fact.
5. Email is a direct line to decision-makers
Leaders are especially attractive targets because their accounts often unlock access to financial systems and sensitive information. Attackers mimic suppliers, banks or internal colleagues to trick executives into approving payments or sharing confidential data.
Solution: Give VIP mailboxes extra protection
High-risk accounts benefit from stricter filtering and additional identity checks. Policies can be adjusted so executives have more robust shielding without sacrificing convenience. This is easy to set up with the correct email protection service.
6. Email protocols aren’t perfect
Email wasn’t originally designed with modern security threats in mind. While tools like SPF, DKIM and DMARC help, they must be set up correctly. Even small misconfigurations create gaps attackers can exploit.
Solution: Automate configuration monitoring
Automated systems continuously check for weaknesses, expired records, or incorrect setups. This maintains consistency across your domain and strengthens your email threat protection without manual oversight.
7. Attackers constantly evolve their tactics
Threat actors adapt quickly. As soon as businesses learn how to spot one phishing style, hackers move to a new one. They also use AI to generate more convincing language, making attacks harder to detect by eye.
Solution: Choose tools that evolve with threats
Static security tools fall short today. What you need is a solution that updates itself using global threat intelligence and behavioral analytics. This ensures even new attack styles are caught early. Netpluz integrates these layers into its email security service, keeping protection aligned with real-world attack trends.
8. Email allows emotional manipulation
Emotional triggers are extremely effective. A message that creates urgency or pressure—like “approve this now” or “your account will be closed”—can cause people to react without thinking.
Solution: Use warning prompts and awareness + automated safeguards
Employee training helps, but no one has perfect judgment all the time. Systems that flag unusual tone, risky requests or mismatched sender identities provide helpful nudges. With a dependable email security service, users get subtle cues that guide them away from high-risk actions.
9. Remote and hybrid work increased exposure
People now connect from home Wi-Fi, café networks, airports and mobile devices. These setups are convenient but significantly expand the attack surface. Attackers know that home networks usually lack enterprise-grade protection.
Solution: Centralise your email defenses
Cloud-based filtering ensures every user—no matter their location—receives the same security standard. Your email protection service works at the provider level, meaning the filtering follows the user wherever they access email.
10. Email is simple, cheap, and scalable—for attackers
Email attacks cost almost nothing to launch. Attackers can try thousands of attempts in minutes. Meanwhile, your business has to block every single one. This imbalance is why breaches remain common.
Solution: Let automation carry the load
Manually reviewing threats is impossible at scale. Automated filtering, pattern recognition, and policy enforcement keep threats out without slowing down your team. A strong email security service takes care of the heavy lifting so you can focus on actual work, not endless threat analysis.
Keeping your email environment safer
Email isn’t disappearing anytime soon, and neither are the risks. But with the right combination of habits, tools and automated protection, your organisation can make email safer and significantly reduce exposure.
A few simple practices go a long way:
- Multi-layer filtering for attachments, links, and sender authentication
- Regular awareness reminders that fit naturally into daily workflows
- Consistent domain authentication settings
- A trusted email threat protection solution that handles scanning, filtering, and enforcement behind the scenes
If you want these layers without juggling multiple systems, Netpluz’s Email Protection Service offers an all-in-one, fully managed solution. It quietly handles filtering, scanning and threat detection so your team can communicate confidently without worrying about hidden risks.
A well-built email security service makes email feel safe again. Plus, it helps your people stay productive without constantly second-guessing every message that lands in their inbox.