Starting a new job should be exciting. New faces, new tools, new responsibilities. But for attackers, it’s something else: an opportunity.
New hires sit right at the intersection of enthusiasm, unfamiliarity, and change, and that makes them a prime target. They’re still learning names, systems, and processes. They’re waiting on equipment. They’re keen to make a good first impression and they don’t yet know what “normal” looks like inside your business.
Here’s how attackers take advantage, and what you can do to protect your team from day one.
Welcome to the company! (…except it isn’t)
Fake job-offer follow-ups
Attackers scrape LinkedIn or Facebook to see who’s been hired. Then they send convincing emails pretending to be from your business:
“Just confirming your start date. Can you please complete this form?”
The link goes to a fake portal designed to capture IDs, tax details, or login credentials.
Bogus “pre-start” purchases
A common scam:
“Hi, it’s your manager. Can you urgently buy some gift cards before your first day?”
New hires often hesitate to question authority figures they haven’t even met yet.
Malicious onboarding documents
Fake contracts, policy PDFs, or “IT setup instructions” can contain malware or ask for passwords no legitimate employer would request.
How to protect your team pre-start
- Send an official onboarding email from a known, consistent email address (like onboarding@yourbusiness).
- Tell new hires exactly what you will and won’t ask for. For example: “We will never ask you to buy equipment personally or provide a password over email.”
- Use secure signing and document portals so anything out-of-band is instantly suspicious.
- Let them know who their real manager is (name, role, photo if possible) to reduce impersonation risks.
Still learning the ropes...
Once a new hire starts, attackers use that adjustment period to slip in unseen.
Fake IT support
Attackers call or email pretending to be internal tech support:
“Your account setup wasn’t completed properly. Can you confirm your password so we can finalise access?”
New hires are more likely to comply because they’re genuinely having access issues.
Internal name-dropping
They reference people the employee hasn’t met yet:
“Sam from Accounts said you needed to action this invoice today.”
Tool access confusion
Attackers send “setup links” for Microsoft 365, Dropbox, Slack, etc. During week one, genuine setup messages are arriving too, making it easier to blend in.
Calendar and meeting lures
New hires often accept meetings without questioning them. Attackers send invites with malicious links disguised as onboarding sessions.
How to protect new hires in their first week
- Give them a simple rule: If something feels off, pause and ask. There’s no such thing as a silly question in week one.
- Create a “safe to ask” culture by telling new hires exactly where to go for help.
- Provide a single source of truth for all onboarding links. Your internal portal or an email checklist.
- Send a short welcome pack with essentials: how to spot phishing, who to contact, what tools you use.
Settling in (and still vulnerable)
Once a new hire looks fully onboarded, attackers shift tactics.
Access escalation scams
“Your role requires elevated permissions. Click here to approve the change.”
It’s designed to trick people into sharing credentials or approving malicious apps.
Payroll and HR impersonation
Attackers request bank detail changes or send fraudulent “policy updates.”
Fake collaboration requests
Shared folders, documents, and tools start flowing their way, and attackers hide malicious requests among them.
Social engineering through public profiles
Many new hires update their socials with:
“Excited to join… starting Monday!”
Attackers love this because it signals who’s still learning internal processes.
How to protect new hires as they settle in
- Run short, friendly awareness training based on real-world examples, not fear.
- Encourage managers to check in regularly, especially about suspicious messages or access issues.
- Monitor for unusual access patterns on new accounts; they’re a common entry point for attackers.
- Review permissions and sharing settings to ensure least privilege from day one.
- Remind new hires what attackers target - urgency, authority, confusion, and flattery.
The most important protection: Clarity
Attackers often take advantage of uncertainty, and new hires naturally experience a lot of it in their first weeks. They are learning new tools, new processes, and new ways of working, which creates moments where doubt is normal.
The more clarity you provide early on, the fewer opportunities attackers have to step in. Clear onboarding, simple language, and well defined communication channels help new team members understand what “normal” looks like. In a culture where it’s safe to ask questions, problems are raised sooner rather than ignored.
This kind of practical guidance does not need to be heavy or overwhelming. When it arrives early and feels supportive, it helps small businesses stay secure while setting new team members up for confidence rather than caution.
