Microsoft 365 / Google Workspace Attacks

Cloud productivity platforms—Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace—are critical infrastructure for modern businesses and prime targets for attackers. With 35% of phishing impersonating Microsoft and 71.4% of M365 users experiencing monthly account compromises, securing these platforms is essential.

The Scale of the Problem

2024 Statistics:

• 35% of all phishing impersonates Microsoft
• 71.4% of M365 users have compromised account monthly
• 10x surge in password attacks (30 billion/month)
• 42x increase in QR code phishing targeting M365
• $12.5 billion lost to M365-related attacks
• Google Workspace: 15 billion phishing emails blocked daily

Common Attack Vectors

Microsoft 365 phishing:

• Fake Microsoft login pages
• "Your account will be suspended" emails
• SharePoint file sharing notifications
• OneDrive file requests
• Teams meeting invites from strangers
• OAuth app consent phishing

Google Workspace phishing:

• Fake Google Drive sharing notifications
• Gmail security alert scams
• Calendar event spam
• OAuth permission requests
• Google Docs commenting attacks

QR code phishing:

• QR codes bypass email filters
• Leads to credential harvesting sites
• 42x increase targeting executives
• Appears in emails, PDFs, calendar invites

Protection Strategies

Authentication security:

• Phishing-resistant MFA (FIDO2 keys, Windows Hello)
• Disable legacy authentication protocols
• Conditional access policies
• Passwordless authentication where possible

Email security:

• Advanced threat protection enabled
• Safe links and safe attachments
• Anti-phishing policies configured
• External sender warnings
• Impersonation protection

Access controls:

• Conditional access based on location, device, risk
• Block legacy protocols (SMTP, POP, IMAP)
• Require managed/compliant devices
• Just-in-time admin access

Monitoring and alerts:

• Sign-in logs reviewed regularly
• Unusual activity alerts
• Impossible travel detection
• OAuth app audit
• Data loss prevention policies

Key Takeaways

• ✅ 35% of phishing targets Microsoft users
• ✅ Phishing-resistant MFA required for all accounts
• ✅ Conditional access limits risk-based access
• ✅ Monitor OAuth apps for suspicious permissions
• ✅ QR code phishing bypasses traditional filters
• ✅ Regular audits of cloud security settings