Phishing attacks have reached unprecedented levels in 2025, with cybercriminals creating thousands of malicious domains that mimic legitimate brands to lure unsuspecting victims. This trend not only harms individuals through scams and ransomware but also erodes trust in the world’s most recognisable companies.
The Scope of the Threat
Cybersecurity analysts estimate that there are over 3.4 billion phishing emails sent daily, and the number of phishing attacks continues to grow year over year. According to recent industry reports, more than 17,500 malicious domains have been detected, imitating 316 leading brands and affecting users in at least 74 countries worldwide. The ease of registering look-alike domains and the rise of AI-powered phishing kits enable both experienced hackers and low-skill “Phishing-as-a-Service” (PhaaS) operators to target individuals and businesses at scale.
How Malicious Domains Work
Attackers set up spoofed websites with domain names nearly identical to real brands—sometimes swapping just a letter or using international characters—and use these sites to phish for login credentials, distribute malware, or extort organisations. These sites are often indistinguishable from the originals, leveraging copied HTML and valid TLS certificates, and are frequently used in large-scale ransomware campaigns.
Impact on Brands and Victims
Brand impersonation damages the reputation and customer trust that companies work hard to build. Victims of domain impersonation can lose money through fraud, while brands face customer attrition, lost revenue, and regulatory fines. Recent research shows that over 62% of newly registered finance-themed domains in 2025 were classified as phishing or brand-abuse sites, highlighting the financial sector as a top target.
Defending Against Phishing in 2025
Organisations should implement advanced domain monitoring, enforce domain authentication standards like DMARC, and train staff and customers to spot phishing attempts. Investing in cybersecurity awareness and regularly updating incident response protocols is key, as attackers continue to exploit identity exposures and bypass traditional defences through advanced social engineering tactics.
Key Takeaways
- Phishing is responsible for the majority of ransomware infections in 2025, driven by a spike in brand impersonation and malicious domains.
- Consumer trust is at risk, as attackers successfully spoof hundreds of brands across multiple countries.
- Only a minority of top domains enforce strict DMARC policies, leaving gaps for attackers to exploit.
Staying vigilant—by reporting suspicious domains and emails, and fostering a culture of cybersecurity—increases collective defence against this ongoing global phishing boom.
