Microsoft creates fake Azure tenants to pull phishers into honeypots
Microsoft is using realistic honeypot Azure tenants to attract and monitor phishing attackers, collecting intelligence on their methods to enhance cybersecurity and disrupt phishing campaigns effectively.
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Microsoft is employing innovative tactics to combat phishing by creating realistic honeypot Azure tenants designed to attract cybercriminals. These fake environments are populated with thousands of user accounts and mimic internal communications, making them appear legitimate. By actively engaging with known phishing sites, Microsoft entices attackers to log in using credentials from these honeypots, which are not protected by two-factor authentication. Once attackers access these fake tenants, Microsoft collects extensive intelligence on their methods, including IP addresses, browser types, and behavioral patterns. This data helps Microsoft disrupt phishing campaigns, improve its Defender systems, and enhance overall cybersecurity measures. The initiative, referred to as the "Microsoft Deception Network," allows the company to monitor around 25,000 phishing sites daily, with about 20% of them receiving honeypot credentials. The deception strategy has proven effective, delaying attackers' realization of the trap for up to 30 days while gathering actionable data to better protect customers and attribute attacks to specific threat groups.
- Microsoft creates fake Azure tenants to lure and monitor phishing actors.
- The initiative collects intelligence on cybercriminal tactics and techniques.
- Attackers are often unaware they are engaging with a honeypot, wasting time and resources.
- The program helps improve Microsoft's cybersecurity defenses and disrupt phishing campaigns.
- Microsoft monitors approximately 25,000 phishing sites daily as part of this effort.
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Microsoft creates fake Azure tenants to pull phishers into honeypots
Microsoft is using fake Azure tenants as honeypots to gather intelligence on phishing actors, disrupting operations and enhancing security by monitoring tactics used by cybercriminals over extended periods.
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