Microsoft, Apple, and Google were the most commonly impersonated brands in phishing attacks last quarter, according to researchers at Check Point.
“Microsoft retained its dominance as the most imitated brand in phishing schemes, accounting for a staggering 32% of all attempts,” Check Point says. “Apple followed with 12%, while Google ranked third.
Notably, LinkedIn reentered the list at fourth place, emphasizing the persistent targeting of technology and Social Network brands.
The persistence of phishing attacks leveraging major brands underscores the critical need for user education and advanced security measures. Verifying email sources, avoiding unfamiliar links, and enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA) are vital to protect against these evolving threats.”
Check Point also observed a spike in phishing attacks impersonating clothing brands during the holidays, mimicking brands like Adidas, LuluLemon, Hugo Boss, Guess, and Ralph Lauren.
“The holiday season saw a surge in phishing campaigns impersonating well-known clothing brands,” the researchers write. “Fraudulent domains, such as nike-blazers[.]fr and adidasyeezy[.]ro, replicated official websites to mislead shoppers with fake discounts, ultimately stealing login credentials and personal information.
These fraudulent sites replicate the brand’s logo and offer unrealistically low prices to lure victims. Their goal is to trick users into sharing sensitive information, such as login credentials and personal details, enabling hackers to steal their data.”
Check Point says users can avoid falling for these attacks by following security best practices, including:
- Installing up-to-date security software.
- Recognizing red flags in unsolicited communications.
- Avoiding interactions with suspicious links or websites.
New-school security awareness training can give your organization an essential layer of defense against social engineering attacks. KnowBe4 empowers your workforce to make smarter security decisions every day. Over 70,000 organizations worldwide trust the KnowBe4 platform to strengthen their security culture and reduce human risk.
Check Point has the story.
