CIVRA Get Started
Blog

Field notes on email threats.

What we catch, how the attacks work, and how small teams can defend themselves — without a security department.

Threats explained

What is Business Email Compromise? A plain-English guide for small businesses

Business email compromise (BEC) is among the costliest cybercrimes, and small teams are easy targets. Here is how the scam works, why it slips past spam filters, and the controls that stop it.

June 23, 2026 · 4 min read
Threats explained

AI-Powered Phishing, How Email Attacks Are Getting Smarter

AI phishing lets attackers write flawless, personalized emails at scale. Here is how these smarter attacks work and how small teams can defend against them.

June 20, 2026 · 4 min read
Field notes

How to spot a phishing email: 7 signs to check before you click

A practical checklist for spotting phishing emails — the exact signals to check in the sender, links, and language before you click, download, or reply.

June 18, 2026 · 4 min read
Field notes

The Real Cost of a Phishing Attack for a Small Business

The cost of a phishing attack goes far beyond money lost. Here is what a small business really pays — in dollars, downtime, and trust — and how to avoid it.

June 17, 2026 · 3 min read
Guides

The Email Security Checklist Every Small Business Needs

A practical email security checklist for small business — the settings, habits, and protection layers that stop phishing, BEC, and impersonation attacks.

June 15, 2026 · 3 min read
Threats explained

Do Small Businesses Really Need Email Security?

Do small businesses need email security? Yes, if you handle money or invoices by email. Here is why small business email security matters and where to start.

June 12, 2026 · 3 min read
How it works

Why your spam filter misses the attacks that actually hurt

Spam filters block bulk junk, but the targeted emails that cost small businesses money sail right through. Here is the gap — and what email security for small business needs to do instead.

June 10, 2026 · 4 min read
How it works

Do You Need an Email Security Add-On for Microsoft 365?

Microsoft 365 email security covers bulk spam well but misses targeted attacks. Here is when a small business needs an add-on layer and what to look for.

June 9, 2026 · 3 min read
Comparisons

The Best Phishing Protection for Small Businesses, Compared

What does the best phishing protection for small business actually look like? Here are the capabilities that stop real attacks and how to choose a tool that fits a small team.

June 5, 2026 · 4 min read
Guides

Email Security Software for Small Business — a Buyer's Guide

A practical buyer's guide to email security software for small business — what to look for, how to compare options, and how to protect a team with no IT staff.

June 2, 2026 · 4 min read
Guides

How to Secure Microsoft 365 Email for Your Business

A practical guide to secure Microsoft 365 email for small businesses. Enable MFA, configure built-in protections, and add a layer that stops targeted phishing.

May 26, 2026 · 3 min read
Guides

How to Secure Google Workspace Email for Your Business

A practical guide to secure Google Workspace email for small businesses. Enable MFA, configure built-in protections, and add a layer that stops targeted phishing.

May 19, 2026 · 4 min read
Guides

A Simple Phishing Incident Response Plan for Small Teams

A practical phishing incident response plan for small businesses with no IT staff. Follow these clear steps to contain a phishing attack and limit the damage fast.

May 12, 2026 · 4 min read
Guides

How to Verify a Payment Request Before You Pay

Learn how to verify a payment request before you pay so a fake invoice or wire-transfer scam never costs your small business money. A clear, practical checklist.

May 5, 2026 · 4 min read
Guides

How to Train Employees to Spot Phishing (A Practical Guide)

A practical guide to phishing training for employees at small businesses. Learn what to teach, how to run safe simulations, and how to build a reporting culture.

April 28, 2026 · 4 min read
Guides

How to Report a Phishing Email, Step by Step (2026 Guide)

Learn how to report a phishing email the right way. A step-by-step guide for employees and small businesses, including who to notify and what not to do.

April 21, 2026 · 4 min read
How it works

SPF, DKIM, and DMARC Explained in Plain English for Business

SPF, DKIM, and DMARC explained without the jargon. Learn what each email authentication standard does, how they work together, and where they fall short.

April 14, 2026 · 4 min read
Guides

How to Set Up DMARC for a Small Business (Step-by-Step Guide)

Learn how to set up DMARC for your small business in plain English. A practical, step-by-step guide to protect your domain from email spoofing and fraud.

April 7, 2026 · 4 min read
Threats explained

Why Ransomware Usually Starts With an Email

Most ransomware attacks begin with a single phishing email. Learn why email is the entry point and how small teams can close the door before it opens.

March 31, 2026 · 4 min read
Threats explained

QR Code Phishing (Quishing), What Small Teams Should Know

QR code phishing hides malicious links inside scannable images to dodge email filters. Here is how quishing works and how small teams can stop it.

March 24, 2026 · 4 min read
How it works

What Is a Look-Alike Domain and How Does It Fool You?

A lookalike domain mimics a real one to impersonate a trusted sender. Learn how a lookalike domain works, the tricks attackers use, and how to spot them.

March 17, 2026 · 4 min read
Threats explained

What Is Email Account Takeover and How Do You Prevent It?

Email account takeover lets an attacker control a real inbox to defraud others. Learn the warning signs of email account takeover and how to prevent it.

March 10, 2026 · 4 min read
Threats explained

What Is a Whaling Attack and Why Does It Target the Boss?

A whaling attack is phishing aimed at executives. Learn how a whaling attack works, why leaders are targeted, and the steps that protect your top people.

March 3, 2026 · 4 min read
Threats explained

What Is the Gift Card Scam That Targets Employees at Work?

The gift card scam tricks employees into buying cards for a fake boss. Learn how the gift card scam works at work and how to stop it before money leaves.

February 24, 2026 · 4 min read
Threats explained

What Is the Payroll Diversion Scam and How Do You Block It?

The payroll diversion scam tricks HR into rerouting an employee's paycheck to a thief. Learn how it works and the simple steps that stop it cold.

February 17, 2026 · 4 min read
Threats explained

What Is Vendor Email Compromise and How Do You Stop It?

Vendor email compromise is a supply-chain scam where an attacker abuses a trusted supplier's email to redirect payments. Learn how it works and how to stop it.

February 10, 2026 · 4 min read
Threats explained

What Is CEO Fraud and How Does the Scam Actually Work?

CEO fraud is an email scam where an attacker impersonates an executive to push a payment. Learn how CEO fraud works and how to stop it at your small business.

February 3, 2026 · 4 min read
Guides

How Can You Prevent Invoice Fraud at Your Business?

Invoice fraud tricks you into paying a fake or altered invoice. Learn how invoice fraud works and the practical steps to prevent it at your small business.

January 23, 2026 · 4 min read
Threats explained

What Is Spear Phishing and How Can Small Teams Stop It?

Spear phishing targets one person with a tailored, convincing email. Learn how spear phishing works, why it beats filters, and how small businesses can stop it.

January 16, 2026 · 4 min read
Threats explained

What Is Email Spoofing and How Do You Stop It Fast?

Email spoofing forges the sender address so a message looks legit. Learn how email spoofing works, why filters miss it, and how to stop it at your business.

January 9, 2026 · 4 min read