What is Barrel Phishing and How to Protect Your Small Business

Phishing attacks are highly diverse. In the ever-evolving threat landscape, cybercriminals are always improving their tactics to deceive their targets. One of the more subtle tactics is called “barrel phishing,” or “double-barrel phishing.”

While traditional phishing email messages might contain an obvious malicious link, barrel phishing is much sneakier, luring you in with a normal, non-threatening message before delivering the payload.

Barrel Phishing Tactics

Barrel phishing is a two-step social engineering tactic where cybercriminals send at least two emails to trick the target into handing over sensitive information and money or installing malware.

Here’s how a barrel phishing attack can start:

The first email may seem harmless, vague and conversational. It might say, “Are you free for a quick task?” or “Hi, let me know when you're around for a quick question.”

The second email follows once you’ve taken the bait and responded. The attacker might respond with a malicious link, infected attachment, or a request for sensitive information such as login credentials.

Cybercrooks hope that splitting the attack into two stages will prompt you to lower your guard, resulting in a more successful and damaging phishing attempt.

Who Is Targeted by Barrel Phishing?

Barrel phishing is highly targeted, and attackers often do their homework. Here are some common types of victims:

High-ranking staff with access to confidential data and financial systems
Finance teams and HR personnel
IT Help desks and admins
Legal and compliance teams
Journalists, NGOs and activists
Small business owners

Why Small Business Owners Are Prime Targets

Cybercriminals increasingly focus on small businesses because they often lack advanced security systems and formal protocols, making them easier prey. Attackers may pose as clients, partners, or accountants, using barrel phishing to initiate fraudulent payments or extract sensitive files.

Real-World Example

Here’s a typical barrel phishing interaction:

Email 1

Subject: Quick question
“Hi Dana, are you available right now?”

Email 2
“Great! I need you to urgently wire $5,000 to a vendor. The bank details are attached. I’ll explain later. It’s time-sensitive.”

How to Spot Barrel Phishing

Even cyber-savvy business owners can fall for these tactics. Watch for:

Unusual or vague messages from known contacts.
Follow-ups with urgent or financial requests.
Sudden changes in communication tone or timing.
Slightly modified email addresses.

How to Defend Your Business

You don’t have to become a cybersecurity expert to stay safe. Here’s how:

Never act on impulse, especially when money or credentials are involved. Double-check any unusual request.
If you receive an unexpected request, call the person directly. Don’t reply to the email.
Make sure your employees and team members recognize the signs of a phishing attack, including the two-step barrel phishing technique.

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