Microsoft tracked 8.3 billion email phishing attempts in Q1 2026; QR code phishing jumped 146% and CAPTCHA-gated attacks more than doubled. The same phishing kits hitting Fortune 500 inboxes are landing in Houston SMB inboxes every day.

Shane Stevens warns that business email compromise (BEC) unfolds over multiple conversational emails, not in a single click, so click-only phishing tests miss the majority of attacks. Construction firms, CPA practices, law offices, and wealth managers across Houston have lost six-figure sums to BEC after wire transfers were authorized.

Five controls stop most attacks: phishing-resistant MFA (FIDO/passkeys/two-key methods), QR-safe scanning inside email security, conversational BEC training, Microsoft 365 safe links and attachments, and a documented wire-transfer verification process with a 60‑second callback. CinchOps hardens email for Houston SMBs (10–250 employees) - get the full breakdown at cinchops.com.

Read more:

8.3 Billion Phishing Emails: What Q1 2026 Means for Cybersecurity in Houston

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Have Questions? Want to discuss further?

Reach out to Shane Stevens, CEO\Founder, CinchOps Technology Solutions: