KnowBe4 releases Q1 2022 global phishing report

KnowBe4, the provider of the world’s largest security awareness training and simulated phishing platform, announced the results of its Q1 2022 top-clicked phishing report.

“In our latest quarterly phishing report, we found that holiday-themed emails were the most tempting for employees to click on,” said Stu Sjouwerman, CEO, KnowBe4. “HR-related messages such as a change in the schedule for the holidays likely piqued interest from employees to see if they would receive an extra day off or shortened work schedule due to the holidays. It is important to remember that cybercriminals utilize various tactics such as preying on people’s emotions when executing their malicious scams. Remaining vigilant and adopting a heightened sense of suspicion around emails that trigger an emotional response can end up preventing a detrimental cybersecurity attack.”

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1. HR: Change in Holiday Schedule
2. Someone special sent you a Valentine’s Day ecard!
3. St. Patrick’s Day: Employee Behavior/Company Policies
4. Our Valentine’s Day Gift To You
5. Starbucks: Happy Holidays! Have a drink on us.

1. Business
2. Online Services
3. Human Resources
4. IT
5. Coronavirus/COVID-19 Phishing
6. Banking and Finance
7. Phishing for Sensitive Information
8. Mail Notifications
9. Social Networking
10. Current Events

Top phishing email subjects were broken out, comparing those in the U.S. to those in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). In Q1 2022, KnowBe4 examined tens of thousands of email subject lines from simulated phishing tests. The organization also reviewed ‘in-the-wild’ email subject lines that show actual emails users received and reported to their IT departments as suspicious.

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The results are below.

The U.S.

1. HR: New requirements tracking Covid vaccinations
2. Password Check Required Immediately
3. HR: Vacation Policy Update
4. HR: Important: Dress Code Changes
5. Acknowledge Your Appraisal

EMEA

1. Authorize Pending Transaction on your Wallet
2. HR: Registration for COVID-19 Study
3. IT: End of Year Password Policy
4. HR: Code of Conduct
5. Your Benefit Account Has Been Updated

*Capitalization and spelling are as they were in the phishing test subject line.
**Email subject lines are a combination of both simulated phishing templates created by KnowBe4 for clients, and custom tests designed by KnowBe4 customers.

• IT: Software Update
• Google Forms: Your Voice Engagement Survey
• Zoom: You missed a Zoom meeting
• Project Notice
• Dropbox: Updates about your account

*Capitalization and spelling are as they were in the phishing test subject line.
**In-the-wild email subject lines represent actual emails users received and reported to their IT departments as suspicious. They are not simulated phishing test emails.