10 Phishing Simulation Templates You Can Try in 2025

Phishing attacks are evolving rapidly, with attackers now using AI technologies to create highly convincing scams. In fact, 60% of recipients fall victim to GenAI-driven phishing attacks, a rate comparable to traditional phishing techniques, according to Harvard Business Review.

Even with advanced email security systems and threat detection tools in place, attackers continue to exploit human behavior as the easiest entry point. Without focused training, employees can still fall for increasingly sophisticated scams.

Realistic phishing simulations allow teams to experience how deceptive these threats have become, helping them detect and report real attacks with greater confidence.

In this blog, we’ll explore 10 phishing simulation templates you can try in 2025 to strengthen your team's awareness, reduce risk, and protect your organization from modern phishing threats.

Why Use Phishing Simulation Templates in 2025?

Modern phishing attacks are highly convincing, using AI and deepfake technologies to mimic trusted sources across emails, messages, and even video calls. This makes it harder than ever for employees to distinguish real from fake.

Phishing simulation templates offer a safe way to test and train employees by exposing them to realistic, evolving threats. Instead of relying on theory, teams build real instincts through hands-on experience.

Regular simulations help organizations:

• Identify users at risk.
• Deliver targeted, behavior-based training.
• Strengthen overall security culture.

In 2025, it’s critical to simulate not just traditional phishing but also AI-driven emails, QR code scams, callback attacks, and deepfake impersonations to fully prepare your workforce.

For more insights on how attackers manipulate emotions during phishing attacks, check out Phishing Examples by Emotional Triggers: How Scammers Exploit Human Emotions.

10 Phishing Simulation Templates to Strengthen Your Workforce

Phishing simulations are most effective when they mirror the real tactics attackers use today. The more realistic and diverse your simulations are, the better your employees can recognize and respond to threats.

In 2025, it’s no longer enough to simulate only basic email phishing. Employees need exposure to a variety of attacks—email scams, SMS phishing, QR code traps, callback phishing calls, and even deepfake impersonations.

Below, we highlight 10 essential phishing simulation templates that can help you build a stronger, more resilient workforce. Each template targets different attack methods and emotional triggers, giving your teams the practical experience they need to spot and stop real-world threats.

1. Business Email Compromise (BEC) Template

This simulation mimics an attacker posing as a high-level executive, such as a CEO or CFO, requesting an urgent wire transfer or sensitive financial information. The goal is to test whether employees verify unusual requests before taking action.

Using a Business Email Compromise (BEC) template helps employees recognize red flags like urgent language, unusual payment instructions, and unexpected sender addresses, reinforcing a cautious mindset for real-world scenarios.

One example is the “CEO Fraud: Lost my wallet” template, where the attacker impersonates a traveling executive urgently asking for money to be wired. This type of emotional appeal leverages urgency and authority—two common triggers used in real BEC scams.

Explore how you can launch realistic BEC simulations easily with our Free Phishing Simulation Test.

2. QR Code Phishing (Quishing) Template

This simulation tests whether employees scan unfamiliar QR codes that lead to fake login pages or malicious websites. Quishing attacks are especially effective in physical environments like office posters, flyers, or event handouts.

An example from the Keepnet Quishing Simulator shows a spoofed "Google Account Recovery" email. It urges the recipient to scan a QR code to secure their account—exactly the kind of emotional trigger that attackers use to lower suspicion and prompt immediate action.

Use this template to train employees to think twice before scanning codes—especially those prompting logins, payments, or downloads.

Run dynamic QR phishing scenarios using the Quishing Simulator.

3. Callback Phishing (TOAD) Template

This simulation targets users with phishing emails that include a phone number, urging them to call for urgent support—often about suspicious account activity, subscription renewals, or malware alerts.

Instead of clicking a link, users are tricked into calling attackers who impersonate IT or customer service agents. These phone-based scams rely on social engineering to extract passwords, gain remote access, or pressure employees into transferring funds.

This template helps your team recognize non-digital phishing attempts and reinforces the importance of verifying all phone-based instructions before responding.

Train your employees against these rising threats using Callback Phishing.

4. Smishing Template

Smishing—short for SMS phishing—uses text messages to lure employees into clicking malicious links or sharing sensitive information. These messages often appear to come from trusted services, urging users to reset passwords, verify accounts, or confirm payments.

One example from the Keepnet Smishing Simulator includes a fake COVID-19 vaccine verification message, prompting users to click a suspicious link. This type of lure preys on urgency and public health concerns—making it dangerously convincing.

This simulation trains employees to pause before acting on unexpected or urgent texts, especially those requesting credentials or personal data.

Strengthen your mobile threat defenses with the Smishing Simulator.

5. Fake Meeting Invitation Template

This simulation mimics calendar invites from platforms like Microsoft Teams, Zoom, or Google Meet. These emails often prompt employees to click a link and log in to view meeting details—redirecting them to fake pages that steal credentials.

The example below from the Keepnet Phishing Simulator features a spoofed Google Calendar notification where a “director” proposes a new meeting time. It appears routine but subtly lures the user into clicking a malicious link disguised as legitimate event info.

As calendar invites are a routine part of daily work, these attacks often bypass suspicion. This template teaches employees to verify meeting details and links before entering any login information.

Learn how to better secure your digital calendar with How Security Awareness Training Keeps Your Calendar Safe.

6. Urgent Password Reset Template

This simulation targets employees with emails impersonating popular services, pressuring them to reset their password immediately due to a supposed security issue. These messages rely on urgency and fear to prompt hasty action—making them one of the most effective phishing tactics.

The LinkedIn-themed scenario in the Keepnet Phishing Simulator presents a fake password reset notice, complete with a convincing link and a 24-hour expiration warning. It’s designed to make recipients feel vulnerable and rush to click without verifying the request.

This template trains employees to slow down, scrutinize such alerts, and confirm their legitimacy through official channels before taking any action.

7. HR Policy Update Template

This simulation targets employees with emails that appear to come from HR or payroll departments, asking them to review policy changes, complete surveys, or confirm benefits. Because these messages seem internal and routine, they're often trusted without question.

A typical example in the Keepnet Phishing Simulator is a fake healthcare benefits update email. It urges employees to complete a “required” questionnaire by a deadline—leveraging urgency, authority, and relevance to increase click-through rates.

This template helps employees stay cautious when responding to internal requests and encourages them to verify such messages through official HR channels.

8. Cloud Storage Access Request Template

This simulation targets users with emails claiming their cloud storage accounts—like iCloud, Google Drive, or Dropbox—have been locked or compromised, prompting urgent action. These attacks play on fear of losing access to important data, pushing users to click without verifying legitimacy.

The Keepnet Phishing Simulator example features a fake Apple alert stating that an iCloud ID has been locked due to multiple failed login attempts. It urges the recipient to verify their account within 24 hours, using urgency to lure them into clicking a malicious link.

This template helps employees develop a habit of independently validating cloud-related alerts and reporting suspicious account access claims through trusted support channels—not reactive clicks.

9. Payment Request Template

This simulation targets employees with emails requesting urgent payment updates, typically under the guise of failed transactions, overdue invoices, or suspended subscriptions. These attacks are crafted to trigger a quick reaction—especially from finance teams or subscription owners—without proper verification.

The Keepnet Phishing Simulator example mimics a failed payment alert for a ChatGPT subscription, prompting the user to click “Update Payment” to avoid service interruption. The realistic design and brand familiarity make it easy to overlook red flags.

This template sharpens employees’ awareness around payment-related emails and reinforces the habit of verifying all financial requests through secure portals—not embedded email links.

10. Prize Giveaway Template

This simulation targets users with phishing emails that offer fake rewards—such as gift cards, contest entries, or prize money—to lure them into clicking malicious links or submitting personal data. These messages often appear during holiday seasons or promotional campaigns, making them seem timely and enticing.

The Keepnet Phishing Simulator example features a spoofed cybersecurity-themed giveaway offering a chance to win from a $100,000 prize pool. The message uses bold visuals, festive language, and a call-to-action button to trigger excitement and impulse clicks.

This template helps employees spot red flags in unexpected promotional emails and avoid engaging with suspicious giveaways, even when they appear professionally designed.

For more insight on how to protect your organization from giveaway-themed phishing attacks, explore the Keepnet article on Gamified Security Awareness Training to Stop 'Free Gift Card' Phishing Attack Examples.

Key Features to Look for in a Phishing Simulation Platform

Selecting the right phishing simulation platform is significant for establishing a robust security culture. It should not only test users but also drive measurable improvements in behavior.

Look for these essential features:

• Customizable Templates: Reflect real threats relevant to your industry and region.
• Real-Time Reporting: Track clicks, reports, and risky behavior instantly.
• Automated Training: Trigger immediate learning paths for users who fail simulations.
• Multi-Channel Simulations: Cover email, SMS, voice, QR code, and callback phishing attacks.
• Human Risk Scoring: Measure individual and team-level risks to guide future training.
• Localization Support: Offer templates in multiple languages and formats for global teams.

For a solution that covers all these areas, discover the Keepnet Human Risk Management Platform.

How Keepnet’s Phishing Simulator Empowers Your Security Training

Keepnet’s AI-powered Phishing Simulator delivers adaptive simulations that build employee awareness and strengthen defenses against phishing attacks.

With over 6,000 realistic templates, organizations can run engaging, real-world campaigns that teach users to spot and report phishing emails confidently. The platform makes it easy to drive lasting behavior change across teams.

Keepnet also simulates advanced threats beyond email, covering SMS, voice calls, QR codes, MFA fatigue attacks, and callback phishing, to prepare employees for today’s most sophisticated social engineering tactics.

By combining adaptive learning with multi-channel simulations, Keepnet ensures your workforce is proactive, not reactive, against phishing threats.

Explore the full capabilities of the Keepnet Phishing Simulator.

Best Practices for Running Phishing Simulations in 2025

Running effective phishing simulations requires more than sending occasional test emails. To build a security-aware culture in 2025, simulations must be continuous, realistic, and targeted.

Follow these best practices:

• Diversify Attack Methods: Simulate email phishing, smishing, vishing, callback phishing, and QR code attacks to cover all channels.
• Use Adaptive Difficulty: Start with basic attacks and gradually introduce more sophisticated, AI-driven threats as employees improve.
• Target Emotional Triggers: Create scenarios that exploit urgency, fear, curiosity, and reward, mirroring real-world attacker tactics.
• Deliver Immediate Feedback: Provide instant coaching or micro-training after failed simulations to reinforce learning.
• Measure and Benchmark: Track click rates, reporting rates, and human risk scores to monitor progress and target additional training where needed.
• Run Simulations Regularly: Conduct monthly or quarterly campaigns to maintain employee vigilance and normalize security awareness practices.

By following these practices, organizations can move from occasional testing to building a sustainable, security-first mindset across all teams.

For a detailed step-by-step guide on setting up successful phishing simulations, read How to Run Phishing Simulations: A Step-by-Step Guide.

Strengthen Your Cyber Defenses with Proactive Phishing Simulations

Modern phishing attacks are evolving at an unprecedented rate, often circumventing technical defenses to exploit human trust. Organizations that rely solely on firewalls and filters are leaving their most valuable asset—their people—unprepared.

Proactive phishing simulations close this gap by training employees to detect sophisticated threats, such as AI-generated emails, deepfake vishing calls, QR code scams, and callback phishing attacks. Realistic practice builds instinctive responses, turning security awareness from a checkbox activity into a real, measurable defense layer.

With Keepnet’s Phishing Simulator, you can design adaptive campaigns that evolve with emerging threats, build human resilience at every level, and benchmark your progress with real data, not assumptions.

True cybersecurity resilience starts when your employees are ready to act, not just aware of the risk.