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Email Security Threats and Statistics 2025

Published on
May 14, 2025

Introduction to Email Security Threats

Email remains a prime target for cybercriminals, with 2025 set to see even more sophisticated attacks. Phishing, spoofing, and AI-driven scams are surging, costing businesses millions and hurting their credibility. The stats below show why this matters. Without a proper DMARC setup, your emails could be hijacked, landing in spam or worse, used to scam your own customers.

Below is a table summarizing key statistics in cybersecurity from 2024 that highlight the urgency for better security measures:

Threat Statistics (2024) Why It Matters
Phishing Surge 28% increase in phishing emails from Q1 to Q2 Scams hit harder, fooling more users daily
Companies Hit 94% of businesses were targeted by phishing attempts Almost every company’s at risk without defenses
AI-Driven Scams 67.4% of phishing attacks utilized AI AI makes scams sneakier, and it’s growing fast
QR Code Scams 10.8% of phishing used QR codes Expected to rise, bypassing traditional SEGs
Multi-Channel Attacks 30.8% of scams used Teams as a follow-up Scams spread beyond email, needing broader protection
Email Fraud Losses Nearly $84 million in losses, averaging over $55,000 per incident One scam can crush your budget or reputation
Spam Flood 90% of emails were spam or scams Spam floods inboxes, masking scams that slip through

How the Industry’s Tackling The Problem

In 2024, Google and Yahoo led the charge against phishing and spoofing, rolling out strict SPF, DKIM, and DMARC requirements to protect inboxes. Now, Microsoft Outlook is following up with new requirements that will start in May 2025, mandating these protocols for high-volume senders (over 5,000 emails daily). Non-compliant companies face hitting the spam folders more often or not getting their emails delivered at all. The message from these industry giants is clear: robust authentication is now mandatory to keep your emails secure and delivered in 2025.

Palisade: Your Partner for Compliance and Security

At Palisade, we make email security simple and effective. Our AI-assisted workflow helps company get compliant with all the Google, Yahoo, Microsoft’s new requirements, while increasing security & deliverability. Whether you’re starting from scratch or streamlining an existing setup, we handle the tech so you don’t have to.

Palisade's Workbench easy DMARC Policy control

Don’t let May 2025 sneak up. Get compliant now to protect your emails and keep them delivered. Try our AI-assisted workflow to nail Microsoft’s new requirements with ease.

In a world where every email matters, compliance isn’t just a must; it’s your edge.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  1. What are the biggest email security threats in 2025?
    • Phishing, spoofing, and AI-driven scams are surging, with 94% of businesses hit in 2024 and $84 million in losses. These threats flood inboxes with spam (90% of emails) and erode trust, making strong, layered cybersecurity critical for protecting your company.
  2. Why are Google, Yahoo, and Microsoft enforcing new requirements since 2024?
    • Google and Yahoo set strict SPF, DKIM, and DMARC standards in 2024 to fight phishing and spoofing. Microsoft’s 2025 rules follow suit, ensuring only verified emails reach inboxes, boosting security industry-wide.
  3. Who needs to follow Microsoft’s 2025 rules?
    • High-volume senders (over 5,000 daily emails to Outlook users) must comply, but all businesses benefit from adopting these standards to protect against scams and improve deliverability.
  4. What happens without DMARC compliance?
    • Emails could hit spam folders or be blocked, damaging your sender reputation and reducing deliverability, especially with Microsoft’s May 2025 enforcement.
  5. What are SPF, DKIM, and DMARC?
    • SPF: Lists authorized email servers for your domain.
    • DKIM: Adds a digital signature to prove email authenticity.
    • DMARC: Sets rules (none, quarantine, reject) for emails failing SPF/DKIM, protecting against spoofing.
  6. What other best practices improve email security?
    • Use valid “From” addresses, include clear unsubscribe links, clean invalid email lists, and ensure recipients consent to your messages to reduce spam complaints and enhance trust.
  7. Why clean email lists?
    • Removing inactive or invalid addresses cuts bounces, lowers spam flags, saves costs, and keeps your emails landing in inboxes.
  8. What’s the best practice for unsubscribe links?
    • A visible, one-click link in bulk or marketing emails that lets recipients opt out easily, meeting industry standards and user expectations.
  9. Do small senders need to comply?
    • While only high-volume senders face Microsoft’s mandate, all businesses should adopt SPF, DKIM, and DMARC to stay secure and align with industry trends.

Published on
May 14, 2025
Author
Samuel Chenard - Founder & CEO
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Email Security Threats and Statistics 2025

Published on
May 14, 2025
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Introduction to Email Security Threats

Email remains a prime target for cybercriminals, with 2025 set to see even more sophisticated attacks. Phishing, spoofing, and AI-driven scams are surging, costing businesses millions and hurting their credibility. The stats below show why this matters. Without a proper DMARC setup, your emails could be hijacked, landing in spam or worse, used to scam your own customers.

Below is a table summarizing key statistics in cybersecurity from 2024 that highlight the urgency for better security measures:

Threat Statistics (2024) Why It Matters
Phishing Surge 28% increase in phishing emails from Q1 to Q2 Scams hit harder, fooling more users daily
Companies Hit 94% of businesses were targeted by phishing attempts Almost every company’s at risk without defenses
AI-Driven Scams 67.4% of phishing attacks utilized AI AI makes scams sneakier, and it’s growing fast
QR Code Scams 10.8% of phishing used QR codes Expected to rise, bypassing traditional SEGs
Multi-Channel Attacks 30.8% of scams used Teams as a follow-up Scams spread beyond email, needing broader protection
Email Fraud Losses Nearly $84 million in losses, averaging over $55,000 per incident One scam can crush your budget or reputation
Spam Flood 90% of emails were spam or scams Spam floods inboxes, masking scams that slip through

How the Industry’s Tackling The Problem

In 2024, Google and Yahoo led the charge against phishing and spoofing, rolling out strict SPF, DKIM, and DMARC requirements to protect inboxes. Now, Microsoft Outlook is following up with new requirements that will start in May 2025, mandating these protocols for high-volume senders (over 5,000 emails daily). Non-compliant companies face hitting the spam folders more often or not getting their emails delivered at all. The message from these industry giants is clear: robust authentication is now mandatory to keep your emails secure and delivered in 2025.

Palisade: Your Partner for Compliance and Security

At Palisade, we make email security simple and effective. Our AI-assisted workflow helps company get compliant with all the Google, Yahoo, Microsoft’s new requirements, while increasing security & deliverability. Whether you’re starting from scratch or streamlining an existing setup, we handle the tech so you don’t have to.

Palisade's Workbench easy DMARC Policy control

Don’t let May 2025 sneak up. Get compliant now to protect your emails and keep them delivered. Try our AI-assisted workflow to nail Microsoft’s new requirements with ease.

In a world where every email matters, compliance isn’t just a must; it’s your edge.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  1. What are the biggest email security threats in 2025?
    • Phishing, spoofing, and AI-driven scams are surging, with 94% of businesses hit in 2024 and $84 million in losses. These threats flood inboxes with spam (90% of emails) and erode trust, making strong, layered cybersecurity critical for protecting your company.
  2. Why are Google, Yahoo, and Microsoft enforcing new requirements since 2024?
    • Google and Yahoo set strict SPF, DKIM, and DMARC standards in 2024 to fight phishing and spoofing. Microsoft’s 2025 rules follow suit, ensuring only verified emails reach inboxes, boosting security industry-wide.
  3. Who needs to follow Microsoft’s 2025 rules?
    • High-volume senders (over 5,000 daily emails to Outlook users) must comply, but all businesses benefit from adopting these standards to protect against scams and improve deliverability.
  4. What happens without DMARC compliance?
    • Emails could hit spam folders or be blocked, damaging your sender reputation and reducing deliverability, especially with Microsoft’s May 2025 enforcement.
  5. What are SPF, DKIM, and DMARC?
    • SPF: Lists authorized email servers for your domain.
    • DKIM: Adds a digital signature to prove email authenticity.
    • DMARC: Sets rules (none, quarantine, reject) for emails failing SPF/DKIM, protecting against spoofing.
  6. What other best practices improve email security?
    • Use valid “From” addresses, include clear unsubscribe links, clean invalid email lists, and ensure recipients consent to your messages to reduce spam complaints and enhance trust.
  7. Why clean email lists?
    • Removing inactive or invalid addresses cuts bounces, lowers spam flags, saves costs, and keeps your emails landing in inboxes.
  8. What’s the best practice for unsubscribe links?
    • A visible, one-click link in bulk or marketing emails that lets recipients opt out easily, meeting industry standards and user expectations.
  9. Do small senders need to comply?
    • While only high-volume senders face Microsoft’s mandate, all businesses should adopt SPF, DKIM, and DMARC to stay secure and align with industry trends.