In earlier days, during the June quarter, cybercriminals mostly use Google and Amazon’s names for phishing attacks. Later, in the quarter of September, it seems their interest shifts towards Microsoft. A report by Check Point is saying the same. Let you know; it’s a well-known cybersecurity firm.
As per the report, in the September quarter, Microsoft’s name was used in 19% of the phishing attacks done worldwide. Maybe that because of the reach of Microsoft. Besides, more number of enterprises and employees are using its products while working from home.
The attackers, mainly, send emails in Microsoft’s name so that the receivers click on their malicious links, which redirect users to a fake Microsoft login page. This process is widespread and widely practiced by cybercriminals.
Omer Dembinsky, the manager of data threat intelligence in Check Point said in a statement, “There are currently billions of people now working remotely, many of them doing so for the first time in their lives. Hackers, sensing big opportunity, are imitating the brand most known for work—Microsoft. I expect Microsoft imitations to continue as we turn the New Year,”
Google and Amazon, the top rank holders in the June quarter come down in the 3rd and 9th positions respectively. Some of the other brand names in the list are DHL (9%), PayPal (6%), and Netflix (6%). Check Point says DHL comes in the top 10 list for the first time.
Going deeper into stats, 44% of the phishing attacks were performed through emails, 43% through the web and 12% were mobile phishing. Microsoft’s name was used the most in both the email and web phishing attacks, whereas in mobile phishing, WhatsApp’s name was hackers’ first preference.
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