Phishers Send Fake Microsoft 365 Account Verification Request in Likely AI-Generated Attack
In this likely AI-generated phishing attack, cybercriminals impersonate Microsoft and send the target a notification regarding recent Microsoft 365 updates. The email, sent from a spoofed address and featuring impersonated Microsoft branding, claims new security enhancements and performance improvements have been implemented. The recipient is informed that verification of their account details is required to maintain access to their email, contacts, and calendar. However, should the target click the button labeled “Verify Your Account Now”, they will be redirected to a phishing site designed to steal sensitive information.
Older, legacy email security tools struggle to accurately identify this email as an attack because it originates from a spoofed email address, does not include attachments, and contains legitimate links. Modern, AI-powered email security solutions flag that the sender domain does not match any domains found in body links, recognize the sender is unknown to the recipient, and detect links to suspicious domains to correctly identify the email as an attack.
To protect against these scams, users should avoid clicking on unexpected links in emails and instead verify account updates by logging into Microsoft services directly through the official website. Organizations can further mitigate risks by educating employees on phishing tactics and deploying advanced security tools to detect and block deceptive email threats.
Phishing email disguised as account verification request from Microsoft
How Does This Attack Bypass Email Defenses?
This email attack bypasses traditional security solutions for multiple reasons, including the following:
- Spoofed Email Address: The attacker spoofs a legitimate-sounding email address, bypassing basic email verification checks and adding perceived authenticity.
- Lack of Attachments: By not including any attachments, the email avoids detection by antivirus and anti-malware systems focused on attachment-based threats.
- Legitimate Links Included: The email includes links associated with recognizable domains, which can pass through basic link verification checks due to its legitimate structure.
How Did Abnormal Detect This Attack?
This attack was detected using AI and ML by analyzing various factors, including the following:
- Unusual Sending Behavior: The sender domain does not match any of the domains found in the body links, raising suspicion.
- Unknown Sender Consideration: The email is recognized as coming from an unknown sender who has never communicated with the recipient. Abnormal’s platform maintains a communication history and quickly flags deviations from established sender-recipient interaction patterns.
- Suspicious Link Analysis: Abnormal's systems scrutinize the presence of links leading to suspicious domains, triggering deeper analysis for possible malicious intent.
By recognizing established normal behavior and detecting these abnormal indicators, a modern email security solution has the ability to prevent this attack from reaching inboxes.
Please note the exact detection mechanism from Abnormal Security's system might include proprietary techniques and methodologies not disclosed here.