Do you love a good spy movie? Clandestine meetings, codes and secret devices — all aimed at gathering information covertly.
While that can make for good entertainment, it’s not so fun when it’s your information that’s being stolen. Things become even darker when organizations realize that they took all the right steps, but a vendor messed up email configuration, putting everyone at risk. This was starkly illustrated early in 2024 when Microsoft’s email system was misconfigured.
There is nothing entertaining about email spoofing, a technique used by attackers to forge the sender's address on an email to make it appear as though it was sent by a legitimate source. This method is a preferred tool for phishing attacks, where the goal is to trick the recipient into divulging confidential information or infecting their systems with malware. Your clients are at high risk of becoming victims, because the attack is aimed at some key human vulnerabilities like feeling pressured by a sense of urgency.
Think about this scenario:
Your client receives an email from `support@microsoft.com` informing them that a message was undeliverable, and they need to click a link within 24 hours, or the message will be permanently deleted. The urgency and authority of the sender might compel them to click the link without second-guessing. Even if your clients do a closer inspection, they might find that the sender's information does appear legitimate, thus making the decision to trust the email even more challenging. But what if this email is not actually from Microsoft?
This type of security breach can have far-reaching consequences. If attackers can successfully pose as a trusted entity, they can manipulate employees into performing actions that could compromise sensitive company data or even infect the company’s systems with ransomware.
The recent Microsoft incident is a prime example of how subtle these attacks can be and how easily they can exploit trust. The attackers utilized Microsoft's compromised email configuration to send phishing emails that were almost indistinguishable from legitimate communications. Many users, recognizing the Microsoft domain, were likely less vigilant and more susceptible to following the deceptive prompts within the email.
How can businesses protect themselves from such threats? The answer lies in a multifaceted approach to email security:
- Email Authentication Protocols: Implementing standards such as SPF (Sender Policy Framework), DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail), and DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance) can help in verifying the authenticity of the emails being received.
- Regular Vendor Audits: Regularly review and audit the security protocols of all vendors to ensure they meet your company’s security standards. Any misconfigurations on their part can directly affect you, so it’s essential to keep a tab on their practices.
- Employee Training: Conduct regular training sessions for employees to recognize phishing attempts and suspicious emails. Familiarity with the latest tactics used by cybercriminals can empower your workforce to act as the first line of defense.
- Advanced Threat Protection Solutions: Utilize email security solutions that offer advanced threat protection capabilities. These solutions can identify and quarantine emails that pose a threat, even if they appear to come from a legitimate source.
- Incident Response Planning: Have a robust incident response plan in place. If a suspicious email is identified, knowing the next steps can mitigate the risk before any damage is done.
Stay ahead of your client’s supply chains.
We invite you to attend our special session on supply chain risk on July 12th at Noon Eastern. This session will cover the nuances of supply chain vulnerabilities, focusing on how to mitigate risks arising from vendor-related email spoofing and impersonation. Join us to fortify your defenses against these insidious threats that could compromise your operational integrity and trust.
More information at www.galacticscan.com/friday
