Artificial intelligence revolutionizes productivity in offices, and Microsoft Copilot will be one such pioneer. Businesses all over the world immediately adopted the AI assistant into their operations shortly after its launch in 2023, using it to automate processes in Microsoft 365 applications.
Technically, at the birth of every new technology, there is just as much of an equal opportunity for something new to endanger the security of all systems using it. Cybercriminals, always adept at hunting fresh chances, seem to have converged on Microsoft Copilot.
Phishing campaigns now sham messages that closely resemble what could be sent from Microsoft’s Copilot to its legitimate users, tricking employees into giving away sensitive credentials.
So what do these scams look like and how should businesses safeguard themselves against them? Let’s break it down:
How the Look of Microsoft Copilot Phishing Scam
Phishing campaigns consist of carefully written emails to the name “Co-pilot” or to Microsoft itself. These emails usually bear fake invoice notifications, saying that users are being charged payment for Copilot services.
Step 1: The Phishing Email
The mail is to bring forth urgency and confusion. Employees would think that the invoice is real and click the embedded link without further looking, thinking Copilot is new at this billing thing.
Why It Works
- There would be some uncertainty attached to usually new services. Most users wouldn’t have a good idea or display what a valid Copilot invoice looks like.
- Email has the appearance and tone of Microsoft, making it trustworthy.
- There is urgency (“Immediate payment required”) so that users would move quickly.
Step 2: Fair Microsoft Copilot Page
Clicking on the link brings them to a phishing site that is meant to mimic the Microsoft Copilot Landing page. It fine-tunes everything – the fonts to logos – to entirely recreate the authentic Microsoft experience.
But there’s something else: The URL does not belong to Microsoft. Instead, it’s hosted on an unrelated domain like “ubpages.com.” These nuances are easy to miss, especially for employees moving through emails quickly.
Red Flag: Most fake login pages usually do not have a “Forgot Password” option. After all, attackers do not want to reset your password. They merely want to steal it from you.
Step 3. Theft of Credential and Faux-MFA Requests
As soon as an employee has their username and password typed into the phishing site, the phishing cops these credentials in real time. But that is not his trick: at the end, he provides a fake Microsoft Authenticator multi-factor authentication (MFA) prompt.
Those who actually fall for this step are just giving their entire access credentials to the attackers stealthily.
Why This is So Dangerous:
- Using stolen credentials, an attacker can bypass all security checks and access sensitive company data.
- They can perform internal phishing attacks, tricking even more employees.
- Stolen Microsoft 365 accounts do usually result in ransomware attacks or major data breaches.
Real World Impact: Phishing still one of the Main Threats
Phishing is nothing new; it’s just changing. In fact, over 90 percent of all data breaches begin by malicious email, according to the cybersecurity firm Cofense. No matter how good security systems are available, human errors still remain among the most major vulnerabilities.
Well, this latest opportunity for a cybercriminal is afforded by the aspect of getting more in Copilot users, even those who would never consider an unexpected email coming in related to it.
Here are some examples of phishing emails that ask for payments of $360.
Some emails were found charging users $360 for the Copilot. The intention: Exciting panic in the user to click the link and enter their credentials into the angler’s trap like flying a moth to a flame.
Lesson Learned: Just because an email looks legitimate it doesn’t mean it is; always verify invoices or payment requests with IT or finance teams.
How To Avoid Your Business from Copilot Phishing Scams
Cyber criminals will change tactics on a continuing basis, but usually, they will be prevented from getting ahead of the game through implementing strong best security practices and training employees to recognize threats.
- Training employees on the different phishing tactics.
- Train staff to scrutinize email senders and URLs before clicking on any links.
- Reassure that Microsoft doesn’t require login credentials via-email.
- Promote “pause and verify” thinking-when in doubt about an invoice, query IT.
Final thoughts
Microsoft Copilot is just one of many AI-powered tools reshaping the way businesses operate. While AI can enhance productivity, it also creates new attack vectors that cybercriminals are quick to exploit.
The key takeaway? Vigilance is critical. Organizations must stay proactive in their cybersecurity efforts, continuously educating employees and updating defenses. Phishing scams may never disappear entirely, but with the right strategies in place, businesses can significantly reduce their risk and keep their systems secure.
