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Email Security Management · Phishing defense

2 common phishing protection mistakes and how to fix them

Short answer

The most common phishing protection mistakes are: blaming users while leaving the domain unprotected; allow-listing vendors broadly, which bypasses filtering.

Phishing remains the leading initial access vector in breaches. Domain owners also bear brand damage when their name is spoofed.

Mistake 1: Blaming users while leaving the domain unprotected#

Why it hurts: this undermines phishing protection at the point where mailbox providers make their decision, and it is rarely surfaced by your own tooling until placement drops.

Fix: Enforce DMARC p=reject so exact-domain spoofing fails.

Mistake 2: Allow-listing vendors broadly, which bypasses filtering#

Why it hurts: this undermines phishing protection at the point where mailbox providers make their decision, and it is rarely surfaced by your own tooling until placement drops.

Fix: Register lookalike domains or monitor them for registration.

Frequently asked questions#

Does DMARC stop all phishing?

It stops exact-domain spoofing. Lookalike domains and display-name spoofing require additional controls.

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