Top 7 Email Threats Targeting UAE Companies in 2025

In 2025, email security is a top priority for UAE businesses. Emails are now the main entry point for cybercriminals. Even with better email security solutions, attackers are using more sophisticated methods, such as phishing attacks, business email compromise, and ransomware to target employees and gain access to sensitive data. The rise of cloud adoption, remote work, and digital-first operations has further expanded the attack surface, making proactive defense more critical than ever.  

For UAE companies, awareness and preparedness are essential. They help stay ahead of email threats and protect business continuity. 

 

The 7 Most Critical Email Threats UAE Businesses Must Watch in 2025 

 

Business Email Compromise (BEC) 

BEC is a sophisticated email threat where cybercriminals impersonate executives, vendors, or trusted partners to trick employees into transferring funds or sharing sensitive data. BEC differs from broad phishing attacks. It uses social engineering, urgent requests, and messages that imitate real communication styles. 

Common red flags are: 

• Unusual payment requests 

• Urgent deadlines 

• Slightly changed email addresses    

To prevent BEC, businesses should implement email security solutions like SPF, DKIM, and DMARC, enforce multi-factor authentication, and establish strict verification procedures for financial transactions while ensuring employees are trained to spot suspicious activity.  

Phishing & Spear Phishing 

Phishing is one of the most common forms of email threat, where attackers send bulk fraudulent emails to trick recipients into clicking malicious links or revealing sensitive data. In contrast, spear phishing is a highly targeted phishing, where attackers research and personalize emails to specific individuals, such as finance or IT managers, making these scams harder to detect.  

Phishing comes in many forms, such as: 

• Email phishing 

• Smishing (SMS-based) 

• Vishing (voice calls) 

• Whaling (targeting executives) 

• Pharming 

In 2025, phishing attacks will become more advanced with AI-enhanced phishing campaigns. Cybercriminals use deepfakes, cloned voices, and realistic content. They impersonate executives or partners with striking accuracy. Most targeted industries in the UAE include financial services, healthcare, IT, e-commerce, and telecommunications, where sensitive data and funds are at stake. 

To avoid phishing attacks, organizations should deploy advanced email security solutions, use strict email phishing protection, enable multi-factor authentication, and regularly train employees to identify red flags.  

Malware-Laden Attachments 

One of the most persistent email threats facing UAE businesses in 2025 is the rise of malware delivered through attachments. Malware is harmful software. It disrupts operations, steals data, or allows unauthorized access. Common types include ransomware, trojans, spyware, worms, adware, and keyloggers. Recent trends show cybercriminals using phishing emails with infected PDFs, Word documents, or compressed files that look real, which tricks employees into opening them.  

Ransomware can lock important business files, causing serious problems. Trojans and spyware quietly steal financial data or login details.  

Warning signs of infection are:  

• Unusual pop-ups  

• System slowdowns  

• Sudden crashes  

• Suspicious new programs  

To fight malware, businesses should use email security measures like sandboxing, antivirus tools, and firewalls. They also need to provide strict user training. Advanced email security solutions scan attachments in real time. Also, proactive awareness and backups help protect against new attacks. 

Credential Harvesting Links 

Credential harvesting is a serious email threat. Cybercriminals trick users into revealing sensitive login information. This includes usernames, passwords, and email addresses. Attackers often include malicious links in phishing emails. These links send victims to fake login pages that look like real websites. Stolen credentials can be sold on the dark web. They might also be reused in credential stuffing attacks. They can also cause larger issues, such as business email compromise or ransomware attacks.  

Red flags for credential harvesting include:  

• Mismatched sender addresses  

• Suspicious URLs with slight misspellings  

• Unusual account activity  

• Unexpected password reset prompts 

Employees should be careful with emails that ask to “verify” or “update” their credentials. Legitimate organizations hardly ever send such requests.  

To prevent credential harvesting, businesses should enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA), implement robust email phishing protection, and train employees to identify fraudulent login pages. Deploying advanced email security solutions adds another essential defense layer.         

Spoofing and Lookalike Domains 

Email spoofing is a deceptive technique where attackers fake the sender’s email header and pretend to be a trusted source. SMTP doesn’t have built-in authentication. This means spoofed emails can slip through filters and seem real. These fraudulent emails trick people into sharing sensitive data, clicking harmful links, or downloading malware.  

Lookalike domains are web addresses made to copy real brands. For example, “netflix.com” looks like “netflix.com.” Attackers use these domains to host fake websites or send phishing messages, making credential theft and financial fraud more likely.  

Spoofing becomes a major email threat because it enables: 

• Avoiding spam blacklists 

• Hiding the attacker’s identity 

• Damaging the impersonated brand or individual 

• Causing personal or financial harm 

To mitigate these risks, businesses should adopt SPF, DKIM, and DMARC email authentication protocols, which validate senders and block fraudulent messages that strengthen overall email cybersecurity. 

Email Thread Hijacking 

Email thread hijacking is an email threat where attackers gain access to a user’s inbox, often through a phishing attack, malware, or weak passwords. Once in, they insert themselves into ongoing conversations. By replying within trusted threads, they can send harmful links, request sensitive data, or redirect financial transactions. Because the messages appear to come from a known contact, they often bypass filters and raise little suspicion.   

To detect issues, watch for strange login activity. Also, check for odd forwarding rules and unusual communication patterns. For example, be alert for sudden payment requests late at night.  

Preventive measures include: 

• Enforcing multi-factor authentication.  

• Regularly auditing email accounts.  

• Using advanced email security solutions that analyze behavior, not just content. 

Equally important is email security awareness training. Training employees to recognize unusual requests and manipulation builds a strong human firewall. They learn to verify and report any odd behavior. In 2025, UAE businesses need more than just technology. Training users is as important as having strong technical defenses. 

Ransomware   

Ransomware is one of the most destructive email threats for businesses. In these attacks, cybercriminals lock critical systems or encrypt data, demanding payment to restore access. Many ransomware campaigns start from a phishing attack or malware-laden attachment. A successful ransomware attack causes more than just financial loss. It can disrupt operations, harm your reputation, and even result in regulatory penalties.  

Effective ransomware protection requires a multi-layered approach.  

Organizations should use email security solutions that:  

• Scan links and attachments in real time.  

• Use sandboxing to find hidden malware.  

• Block suspicious URLs. 

Regular data backups stored securely offline are essential for quick recovery. You can lower risk even more by using multi-factor authentication, watching for account takeovers, and applying security patches. Employee awareness training teaches staff to spot suspicious links and verify unusual requests. This training is a strong defense against ransomware spread through email. 

 

How UAE Businesses Can Stay Protected in 2025 

Implement AI-Powered Email Security Tools 

Traditional defenses are no longer enough against sophisticated email threats like phishing, spear phishing, credential harvesting, and ransomware. AI-powered email security solutions use machine learning to analyze vast data, detect anomalies, and predict emerging threats. They can spot phishing signs, unusual login patterns, and malware-laden attachments before they spread. With real-time automated responses, these tools isolate compromised accounts, block malicious links, and stop harmful files from reaching employees. Constantly learning and adapting, AI keeps email cybersecurity proactive. 

Enforce Strong Authentication Protocols 

Strong authentication is crucial for protecting against contemporary email threats. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds essential security. It makes sure that stolen passwords can't let attackers into sensitive systems. Single sign-on (SSO) boosts email security. It reduces password fatigue and encourages the use of stronger, unique passwords across platforms. Good password hygiene helps reduce risks from phishing and credential theft. Use passphrases, avoid reusing passwords, and rely on secure password managers. MFA, SSO, and strong password practices work together to protect businesses against email threats.