Information security researchers from the Check Point Software team said that phishers love the Microsoft brand. 43% of all attempts at phishing attacks were associated with it – attackers tried to influence people working remotely during the second wave of the pandemic.

Top brands most frequently used in phishing attacks:

1. Microsoft (43% of all phishing attacks attempts with the use of brand names worldwide)
2. DHL (18%)
3. LinkedIn (6%)
4. Amazon (5%)
5. Rakuten (4%)
6. IKEA (3%)
7. Google (2%)
8. Paypal (2%)
9. Chase (2%)
10. Yahoo (1%)

How a brand-based phishing attack works

In a phishing attack that is using brands, criminals try to imitate the official website of a well-known company using a domain name, URL and design similar to the original website.

Victims can receive a link to the fake page via email or SMS. They can also be redirected to a phishing site while browsing the web or from a malicious mobile application. Fake sites often contain a form designed to steal credentials, billing information or other personal information.

Examples of phishing attacks using brands:

A phishing email allegedly from DHL – an example of password theft

In November, Check Point researchers noticed a malicious phishing email that used the DHL trademark. Then the attackers tried to steal user passwords. The email that came from a fake email address Parcel.docs@dhl.com contained the following text:

“RE: Your DHL Parcel (available to receive) – []”. Cybercriminals tried to trick the victim into clicking a malicious link that redirected to a fake login page. There, the user had to enter his password, which would then be sent to the attackers’ site.

Phishing email allegedly from Microsoft – an example of credential theft.

In December, Check Point researchers discovered a malicious phishing email that attempted to steal user credentials from a Microsoft Office 365 account. In the subject of the email was indicated: “Daily Document Delivery # – “, and the content that mimicked eFax. After the user clicked on the link, he was lead to another document that redirected the user to a fake Microsoft login page.

Let me remind you that I talked about cybercriminals that started using Google services more often in phishing campaigns.

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The sharpest growth was noted in Europe, with North America and the Asia-Pacific region in second and third places respectively in the number of phishing campaigns. Most often (in 56% of cases) fraudsters sent letters on behalf of DHL. In second place is Amazon (37%), in third – FedEx (7%).

Back in early November, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned of the dangers of shopping malls during the holidays and recommended shopping online. As a result, the volume of online shopping in the country continues to break all records. In the first ten days of November, the holiday season, Americans spent $21.7 billion on online purchases, a 21% increase over last year. Shoppers will spend $38 billion over the 2020 Thanksgiving holiday weekend, nearly doubling the amount that was spent during the same period in 2019, according to DC360.

However, it’s not just stores that are preparing for the online shopping boom – the attackers are also mobilizing forces to earn on the holiday hype. Number of phishing attacks has doubled recently.

Now, in addition to fake discount offers and links to store sites, they are increasingly sending phishing emails on behalf of delivery services.

Unlike ordinary phishing emails, with the help of which scammers try to get personal data, information to enter the personal account of an online bank or card data, emails on behalf of delivery services contain various fake messages about problems or offers to track the package.

To solve a problem or in order to use the service, user must provide personal data or bank card details. It is no coincidence that scammers started sending out such letters in November, experts say, since this month many buyers of online stores are waiting for their purchases and more often pay attention to messages from delivery services. In addition, many users are already aware of the old methods of fraudulent sales, and traditional “bargains” no longer contribute to income of criminals.

Check Point Expert Tips for Safe Shopping:

• For different sites, use unique non-duplicate logins and passwords, go to the site not using a link from a letter that may turn out to be phishing, but open it through a search engine.
• Particular attention should be paid to the language and errors in letters and domain names: for example, attackers can use the .co extension instead of .com or make typos in the letter itself.

Let me remind you also that cybercriminals started using Google services more often in phishing campaigns.

The post Operators of phishing campaigns increased number of emails allegedly from delivery services appeared first on Gridinsoft Blog.