Microsoft Dominates Phishing Attacks in Q2 2024: How to Protect Yourself

In the second quarter of 2024, Microsoft emerged as the most impersonated brand in phishing attacks, accounting for 57% of such incidents, according to Check Point Research. (globalsecuritymag.com) This significant increase underscores the growing trend of cybercriminals targeting major technology companies to exploit their vast user bases.
Top Impersonated Brands in Q2 2024:

• Microsoft: 57%
• Apple: 10%
• LinkedIn: 7%
• Google: 6%
• Facebook: 1.8%
• Amazon: 1.6%
• DHL: 0.9%
• Adidas: 0.8%
• WhatsApp: 0.8%
• Instagram: 0.7%

The technology sector remains the most impersonated industry, followed by social networks and banking. This trend highlights the appeal of these sectors to cybercriminals due to the sensitive information they handle. (globalsecuritymag.com)
Notable Phishing Campaigns:

• Adidas: Fraudulent websites like adidasyeezys[.]cz and adidasyeezys[.]it mimicked official Adidas sites to steal user credentials. (globalsecuritymag.com)
• Instagram: Phishing pages such as instagram-nine-flame[.]vercel[.]app/login replicated Instagram's login interface to deceive users into providing their login details. (globalsecuritymag.com)

Implications and Recommendations:
The dominance of Microsoft in phishing attacks is concerning, given its extensive user base and the critical nature of its services. Users are advised to verify email senders, avoid clicking on unsolicited links, and enable multi-factor authentication to enhance security. (globalsecuritymag.com)
As phishing tactics evolve, staying informed and vigilant is crucial in mitigating these cyber threats.

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Source: SC Media Microsoft dominates phished brands in Q2, report shows