- Published
- Source
- Help Net Security
- Filed under
- Phishing & scams, Microsoft, Attacks
- Technique
- T1566 Phishing (opens in a new tab)
Microsoft accounted for 33% of brand impersonation attempts tracked by Check Point Research in the third quarter of 2026, up from 23% in the previous quarter and roughly four times the share of any other brand. Top 10 most impersonated brands in phishing attacks (Source: Check Point) Apple and Google followed with 8% each. Dropbox and YouTube recorded the biggest climbs in the rankings. “Attackers favor Microsoft because stolen Microsoft credentials can unlock an entire … More →…
Spotted a scam?
- Forward suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk – the NCSC uses the reports to take scam sites down.
- Forward scam texts to 7726, free on most UK networks.
- Never share a one-time code, and check any request for money by calling a number you already trust.
Defender’s notebook
The attacker technique behind this story, in MITRE’s terms – and what to check in your own estate.
Phishing
Initial AccessWhat a defender checks
- Search mail flow for the sender, subject and links, and pull every copy from mailboxes.
- Check who clicked or replied, and what signed in afterwards.
- Block the sender and URLs, and tell staff what to look for.
Build the skillBlue Team Analyst · Email & Phishing Investigation
Impersonation
StealthWhat a defender checks
- Confirm any change of payment details on a number you already hold – never the one in the message.
- Make the help desk verify identity before resetting passwords or MFA.
- Brief finance and help-desk staff on the current pretexts.
Build the skillBlue Team Analyst · Email & Phishing Investigation
© 2026 The MITRE Corporation. This work is reproduced and distributed with the permission of The MITRE Corporation. MITRE ATT&CK and ATT&CK are registered trademarks of The MITRE Corporation.
MyCyberWay training
Blue Team Analyst · Email & Phishing Investigation
Someone will report this email. Know exactly what to do next.
Analyse a reported phishing email properly: headers, message trace and quarantine, what SPF, DKIM and DMARC failures tell you, and the indicators that make it business email compromise.
- Header forensics and message trace
- SPF, DKIM and DMARC failures explained
- Spotting business email compromise
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