Top Cybersecurity Threats in 2025 and How Secure Online Forms Can Help
Cyberattacks in 2025: The Threat Landscape Is Evolving
Ransomware attacks are now targeting small businesses just as aggressively as large corporations. In 2024 alone, the average cost of a data breach in the U.S. hit $9.48 million – up 11% from the previous year (IBM Cost of a Data Breach Report).
Security risks are rising fast in 2025. As more businesses rely on the cloud, remote teams, and AI tools, it’s getting harder to stay fully protected. And while most companies focus on securing their networks, online forms often get overlooked, despite handling some of the most sensitive data.
Since online forms often collect sensitive data, they’re a common entry point for attacks.
In this article, we cover the top security threats of 2025 and how secure online forms can help protect your business and data.
Top 5 Cybersecurity Threats to Watch in 2025
1. Forms Can Be a Backdoor for Data Theft
Online forms are great for collecting information, but if they’re not adequately secured, they can become a weak link. Hackers look for vulnerabilities and may insert malicious code to quietly grab whatever someone types in: names, credit card numbers, health info, you name it.
What you can do:
- Make sure they use HTTPS and SSL encryption
- Add CAPTCHA to keep bots and fake entries out
- Use a trusted form builder with advanced security features like encryption and permission controls
2. Business Email Compromise (BEC)
In 2025, BEC scams will be more precise than ever. Hackers are sending emails that look nearly identical to messages from real employees or trusted vendors. Unsecured email delivery can turn your form responses into an easy entry point for attackers.
What you can do:
- Send form notifications using secure, encrypted methods
- Keep personal email addresses hidden from automated messages
- Add a quick identity check for sensitive forms (like a confirmation step or a one-time code)
3. When the Risk Comes from Inside
Sometimes the most significant security gaps aren’t from outside attacks, they’re internal. If form data is stored without the right access settings, sensitive information can end up in the wrong hands. In industries like healthcare, finance, or education, that can mean serious compliance trouble.
What you can do:
- Set up role-based permissions so only the right people can view or export data
- Check audit logs regularly to see who’s accessing what
- Use tools that let you control access at a detailed level—form by form, field by field
4. Phishing Scams and Deepfakes Are Getting Smarter
Phishing isn’t just about sketchy emails anymore. Attackers now use AI to create fake voices, logos, and even entire web pages that look legit, right down to your form fields. It’s easier than ever for someone to get tricked into giving up passwords or other sensitive information.
What you can do:
- Double-check that your branding is consistent across all public forms
- Keep an eye out for fake or copycat versions of your forms
- Add identity checks to critical workflows to make sure the right people are filling them out
5. Falling Behind on Privacy Rules
New data laws like HIPAA, CCPA, and the U.S. Data Privacy and Protection Act have raised the bar when it comes to handling personal information. If your forms aren’t up to date, you could be out of step with the law, without even realizing it.
What You Can Do:
- Choose forms that adapt based on the user’s location or the type of data they provide
- Automatically hide or encrypt sensitive fields to keep information protected
- Make sure your privacy policy is current and that you’re keeping good records for audits or reviews
Why Secure Online Forms Matter in 2025
Keep Your Data Safe from the Start
Online forms are often where sensitive data enters your systems. If that front door isn’t locked down, everything behind it is vulnerable.
Secure, compliant forms with the proper access controls help keep your customers’ data safe.
Improving User Trust and Brand Reputation
Secure forms do more than protect data; they show people you take privacy seriously. When users know their information is safe, they’re more likely to trust your brand and complete the form without hesitation.
| Feature | Standard Forms | Secure Online Forms |
| Data Encryption | Often missing or limited | End-to-end encryption (in transit and at rest) |
| Compliance (e.g., HIPAA, GDPR) | Rarely compliant | Fully compliant with industry standards |
| Access Controls | Basic or none | Role-based permissions and audit trails |
| Vulnerability to Attacks | High (prone to phishing, data leaks) | Reduced (built-in protections and monitoring) |
| CAPTCHA / Bot Protection | Not always included | Integrated to prevent spam and bot submissions |
| Data Storage Security | Often on shared or insecure servers | Hosted on secure, compliant infrastructure |
| User Trust | Lower (lacks visible protections) | Higher – signals professionalism and care |
| Branding & Customization | Limited | Supports custom domains, branding, and logic |
| Integration with Systems | Manual or inconsistent | Seamless with CRMs, ERPs, and cloud platforms |
| Audit & Reporting | Basic, if any | Real-time reporting with audit-ready logs |
How 123FormBuilder Helps You Stay Secure and Compliant
If you’re collecting sensitive data in 2025, whether it’s job applications, health information, or customer requests, 123FormBuilder gives you the tools to do it securely.
Key Features That Matter Most
- HIPAA and GDPR compliance: Make sure your forms meet regulations for healthcare, finance, and education.
- End-to-End Encryption: All submitted data is encrypted in transit and at rest.
- Salesforce Integration: Send data directly into secure CRMs – no manual copy-pasting.
- Role-Based Access and Audit Trails: Limit access and monitor activity for every form submission.
- Prefill and Conditional Logic: Reduce user error and ensure only the right fields appear.
- CAPTCHA and Email Verification: Keep bots and bad actors out of your data collection workflows.
No matter if you’re collecting client info, patient details, or internal IT requests, 123FormBuilder helps keep your data safe and your team protected from common security slip-ups.
Wrapping Up: Why 2025 Demands Secure Online Forms
Cyber threats are evolving fast, and forms are a common target. If you collect sensitive data, security and compliance aren’t optional. A secure form builder reduces risk, whether from phishing, ransomware, or internal errors, without slowing you down.
Ready to Protect Your Data from the First Click?
Explore how 123FormBuilder helps businesses like yours secure data collection with encryption, compliance, and full platform integrations.
