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Is That Microsoft Email Genuine — or a Phishing Trap?

When an email lands in your inbox claiming to be from Microsoft, your first thought might be, "No worries—that email's legit." Unfortunately, cybercriminals count on that trust.

Recent findings show that 36% of brand-related phishing attacks in early 2025 impersonated Microsoft—more than any other company. Google and Apple followed closely behind, accounting for over half of such scams.

What Is Phishing—and Why It’s Growing Smarter

Phishing is when scammers send emails or messages pretending to be trusted companies like Microsoft. Their goal? Trick you into:

  • Clicking malicious links
  • Downloading dangerous attachments
  • Disclosing sensitive info like passwords or credit card data

These emails now look frighteningly legitimate—logos, web design, even sending addresses are often spot-on forgery

Red Flag

Why It Matters

Urgent or threatening language (e.g., “Your account will be locked unless...”)

Legitimate Microsoft emails rarely demand immediate action. A sense of urgency is a classic phishing tactic

Misspelled email domains

Look for subtle typos like micros0ft.com instead of microsoft.com. Scammers rely on overlooked mistakes.

Unexpected links or attachments

Instead of clicking, manually type the official website into your browser to verify.

What You Should Do Instead

  1. Pause before clicking. If you're unsure, don’t engage—especially if the email feels off.
  2. Visit the official site directly. Type microsoft.com or your account portal in a new browser tab.
  3. Train your team. All staff should know to question suspicious emails—even if they appear legitimate.

How SEBS IT Can Help Keep Your Business Safe

We’ve got your back with:

  • Email filtering to catch suspicious messages before they reach your inbox
  • Phishing awareness training for your staff
  • Multi-factor authentication (MFA) setup for stronger access control

Over to You

If you’ve received a suspicious “Microsoft” email or are unsure about any messages in your inbox, we're here to help. Let’s build digital safety your team can count on.

Get in touch today for proactive cyber security support tailored to Haywards Heath and Sussex businesses.

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