Would You Spot a Fake Microsoft Email?

Beware: Is that Microsoft... or a phishing attempt?

Microsoft tops the list for phishing scams

When you get an email from Microsoft, you probably don’t think twice about opening it. But here’s the catch — in early 2025, 36% of brand-related phishing attacks were pretending to be Microsoft. It’s currently the most impersonated company in the world. Google and Apple follow closely, making up over half of all phishing scams combined.

Trusted brands make easy bait

Cyber criminals love using well-known names to build trust fast. Their emails might look official, but they’re not. The aim is to trick you into clicking a link, opening a dodgy attachment, or giving away personal info like passwords or credit card details.

Today’s phishing is scarily convincing

Phishing scams have levelled up. Gone are the obvious red flags — these attacks now include:

Polished logos and professional design
Fake websites that mirror real ones
Spoofed email addresses that look legit

Even Mastercard has seen a recent spike in fake sites targeting cardholders.

Don’t rush — urgency is a warning sign

Legitimate companies like Microsoft won’t threaten you with messages like: “Click now or your account will be locked.” If you feel rushed or pressured, pause. That’s a big red flag. Type official website addresses directly into your browser instead of clicking links in suspicious emails.

Always double-check the sender

Attackers often tweak email addresses just enough to fool you. For example, “micros0ft.com” instead of “microsoft.com”. These slight changes are easy to miss if you’re not paying attention.

Build stronger defenses

Phishing scams aren’t going away, but you can reduce the risk with smart habits and tools:

Stay alert and educate your team
Use trusted cyber security software
Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on all accounts

Remember: the more trusted the brand, the more attractive it is to scammers.

That email from Microsoft? It might not be what it seems.

Need help keeping your business safe from phishing attacks? Let’s talk.