Donor lists age quickly; re-engagement and sunset policies protect reputation.
What phishing protection is#
Phishing is the use of deceptive email to steal credentials, money, or data. Defense combines domain authentication, inbound filtering, user training, and rapid reporting.
Why it matters#
Phishing remains the leading initial access vector in breaches. Domain owners also bear brand damage when their name is spoofed.
Implementation plan for nonprofits#
- Enforce DMARC p=reject so exact-domain spoofing fails.
- Register lookalike domains or monitor them for registration.
- Enable link rewriting and attachment sandboxing at the gateway.
- Run quarterly simulations and make reporting a one-click action.
- Apply BIMI so users learn what authentic mail looks like.
Priorities specific to nonprofits#
Donor lists age quickly; re-engagement and sunset policies protect reputation. Weight your effort toward the steps above that address this constraint first, and measure with metrics that match how nonprofits generate value from email.
Common mistakes#
- Blaming users while leaving the domain unprotected.
- Allow-listing vendors broadly, which bypasses filtering.
Frequently asked questions#
Does DMARC stop all phishing?
It stops exact-domain spoofing. Lookalike domains and display-name spoofing require additional controls.