As law firms increasingly rely on digital systems for case management, communication, and client data storage, they become prime targets for cyber criminals.

Legal professionals handle vast amounts of sensitive data, making the sector particularly vulnerable to phishing scams, ransomware attacks, and social engineering.

Staying informed about these risks and taking proactive steps to address them is essential to safeguarding client trust and maintaining compliance with stringent regulatory requirements. The impact of a breach is far-reaching.

While it’s easy to believe that simply awareness of the methods or outcomes is enough to reduce the risk of a cyber attack, that is just not the case.

Methods of attack are constantly evolving, and the explosion of easily accessible AI has created a huge rise in more sophisticated methods. While phishing is the most widely known attack vector, it remains the number one cause of breaches. Complacency is the biggest risk and humans are often the first line of defence.

Current cyber trends

Phishing: Consistently the most-used attempt to breach a business, phishing encompasses Smishing, an attack carried out through text messages, Vishing, a phone call-based attack, and Quishing, which uses QR codes to direct people to malicious websites.

Ransomware: It remains one of the most common intentions of a breach. Multiple gangs operate huge numbers of attacks on a daily basis, some even offering ransomware-as-a-service. Operating as businesses with ‘customer support’ and chat functions.

Case 1: Quishing

Who: An associate from a law firm visiting a client in the city centre.

What: While paying for parking, the associate scanned a fraudulent QR code placed near the parking meter. The code redirected them to a fake payment website resembling the parking provider’s legitimate portal. They used a business credit card to pay and entered their email and password.

Impact: The credit card details were stolen, leading to financial compromise. The captured email and password were used by attackers to send phishing emails targeting the law firm, increasing the risk of further breaches.

Lessons Learned:

• Verify QR codes before scanning.
• Avoid reusing credentials across accounts.
• Train staff to recognise suspicious sites and report incidents immediately.

Case 2: Social Engineering

Who: A senior partner at a law firm travelling for business.

What: The partner posted details about their trip on social media, including their destination and schedule. Malicious actors used this publicly available information to impersonate the partner, contacting the firm’s staff through WhatsApp and email. Posing as the partner, they made urgent requests for client fund transfers, claiming time-sensitive situations.

Impact: The attackers exploited the sense of urgency and trust in senior leadership, creating a high risk of financial loss and reputational damage. This highlights the growing sophistication of social engineering attacks, particularly on messaging platforms like WhatsApp.

Lessons Learned:

• Limit sharing of travel or business plans on social media.
• Train staff to verify requests, especially those involving funds, through direct communication channels.
• Implement robust procedures for approving financial transactions, including secondary authorisation steps.

Ransomware

Ransomware, a form of malware that locks files or systems until a ransom is paid, poses a significant threat to law firms due to their reliance on sensitive data.

Prevention starts with strong security measures: keep systems and software updated, implement multi-factor authentication, and back up critical data regularly.

Preparation includes training staff to recognise phishing attempts, testing incident response plans, and ensuring backups are accessible and encrypted.

In case of an attack, isolate affected systems, consult cybersecurity experts, and avoid engaging directly with attackers. A proactive approach minimises risk, reduces downtime, and protects your firm’s reputation and client trust.

In an era of increasing cyber risk, law firms must prioritise cybersecurity as a cornerstone of client trust and operational resilience.

By adopting proactive strategies and embedding awareness throughout their organisations, legal professionals can protect sensitive data, maintain regulatory compliance, and uphold the integrity of their practice.

Catch up: PureCyber Ignite Webinar

PureCyber has shared a recording of its latest Ignite Webinar – an informative insight into the current threat landscape and explore real-world scenarios with our team of cyber security experts.

You can expect a lively, interactive session with the PureCyber team – myth-busting misconceptions, dissecting real-life scenarios, and providing realistic tips and techniques for you to fight back. Identifying what mistakes were made and practical advice on how you can take personal action to prevent the same in your organisation.

To watch the webinar, click here.

PureCyber is a leading cyber security firm dedicated to helping organisations protect their digital assets and maintain operational integrity. With our expertise, we provide actionable insights and solutions to fortify your supply chain against cyber risks.