Researchers compiled a list of the most common brands to impersonate by detecting and analyzing new phishing URLs.
Microsoft is cybercriminals' favorite brand to impersonate in phishing attacks, following a 57% increase in phishing URLs detected during Q2 2018, Vade Secure reports.
The boost propelled Microsoft past PayPal and Facebook, which fell into second and third place, respectively, on the inaugural Phishers' Favorites list. Researchers tallied the number of new phishing URLs detected in the company's filter engine to compile their list of most commonly spoofed brands.
Microsoft took the top spot because it's highly profitable to compromise an Office 365 account, researchers report. Email-based attacks are seen as an easy entry point into a treasure trove of data, files, and contacts from other Office 365 apps, such as OneDrive, SharePoint, and Skype.
PayPal was a distant second due to a 16% increase in phishing URLs; however, it remains heavily targeted as the most broadly used online payment service, with 237 million users. Facebook fell two spots to No. 3 after a 54% decline in phishing URLs. The social media giant has historically been a popular target but is less common after it ramped up security efforts following the Cambridge Analytica scandal.
Read more details here.
Black Hat USA returns to Las Vegas with hands-on technical Trainings, cutting-edge Briefings, Arsenal open-source tool demonstrations, top-tier security solutions and service providers in the Business Hall. Click for information on the conference and to register.
About the Author(s)
You May Also Like
Guarding the Cloud: Top 5 Cloud Security Hacks and How You Can Avoid Them
April 4, 2024Cybersecurity Strategies for Small and Med Sized Businesses
April 11, 2024Defending Against Today's Threat Landscape with MDR
April 18, 2024Securing Code in the Age of AI
April 24, 2024
Black Hat USA - August 3-8 - Learn More
August 3, 2024Cybersecurity's Hottest New Technologies: What You Need To Know
March 21, 2024Black Hat Asia - April 16-19 - Learn More
April 16, 2024