Source URL: https://it.slashdot.org/story/24/10/20/1840217/microsofts-honeypots-lure-phishers-at-scale—to-spy-on-them-and-waste-their-time?utm_source=rss1.0mainlinkanon&utm_medium=feed
Source: Slashdot
Title: Microsoft’s Honeypots Lure Phishers at Scale – to Spy on Them and Waste Their Time
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Summary: The text discusses an innovative approach by Microsoft to combat phishing using the Azure cloud platform, featuring the use of high-interaction honeypots to gather threat intelligence on cybercriminals. This highlights the significance of advanced security techniques and deception methods in enhancing cybersecurity.
Detailed Description:
The account centers on a presentation by Ross Bevington, a principal security software engineer at Microsoft, where he elaborated on how the Azure cloud platform aids in phishing prevention. Key points include:
– **Use of Honeypots:** Microsoft has developed a “hybrid high interaction honeypot” designed to simulate real-world environments, allowing them to gather intelligence from various threat actors, including less skilled cybercriminals and advanced nation-state groups.
– **Threat Intelligence Collection:** The honeypot strategy allows Microsoft to:
– Map malicious infrastructure associated with phishing operations.
– Understand the workings of sophisticated phishing campaigns.
– Disrupt campaigns at scale by identifying cybercriminals and slowing their activities.
– **Deception Techniques:**
– By using entire Microsoft tenant environments with realistic-looking information, the honeypots draw attackers in.
– The honeypots employ custom domain names and thousands of user accounts, creating a more convincing trap.
– **Active Phishing Engagement:**
– Microsoft’s team actively visits identified phishing sites, entering the credentials of these honeypot tenants.
– Unlike standard protocols, the honeypots do not have two-factor authentication enabling attackers easy access for a limited time.
– **Data Collection and Analysis:**
– On average, Microsoft monitors around 25,000 phishing sites daily.
– They inject honeypot credentials into approximately 20% of these sites, while the remaining are blocked via CAPTCHA or other mechanisms.
– Detailed logging is initiated every time attackers log in, capturing insights such as:
– IP addresses used by the attackers
– Behavioral patterns
– Tools and phishing kits utilized
– **Operational Impact:**
– Microsoft’s deception technology delays attackers for up to 30 days before they detect the breach of a fake environment.
– The intelligence gathered is instrumental for security teams, aiding them in developing robust defenses and creating complex threat profiles.
This strategic application of deception techniques in phishing prevention showcases advancements in cloud security and underscores the importance of innovative methods for protecting organizations from cyber threats. The approach not only enhances Microsoft’s security posture but also provides valuable insights into the tactics employed by attackers, which can bolster collective cybersecurity efforts.