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INTRODUCTION
Phishing attacks have become increasingly sophisticated and prevalent. Cybercriminals are constantly developing new ways to deceive users into clicking on malicious links or providing sensitive information. Fortunately, Microsoft 365 Business Premium offers advanced protection against phishing attacks and other security threats. In this article, we’ll explore the various security features of Microsoft 365 Business Premium and how they can help safeguard your organization’s data and systems. We’ll also discuss some examples of phishing attacks and how to avoid falling victim to them.
The Threat of Phishing Attacks
In phishing, a type of fraud, attackers actively pose as trustworthy individuals or companies through email or other electronic communications. Attackers use a variety of methods to trick unsuspecting victims into divulging sensitive information such as passwords or credit card numbers. One of the most common techniques is to pretend to be a trusted individual or company in an email or other electronic communication. Therefore, it is important to be aware of the warning signs of phishing attacks and to take steps to protect yourself and your personal information.
Protection Against Phishing Attacks with Microsoft 365 Business Premium
Microsoft 365 Business Premium offers protection against phishing attacks. While most cloud email services have basic spam filtering to counter phishing, Microsoft 365 Business Premium provides advanced technologies for an extra layer of security.
Advanced Security Features of Microsoft 365 Business Premium
Time of click protection: This feature guards against malicious links that cybercriminals may redirect to unsafe websites after email delivery. The system checks each link in real-time upon being clicked. If it is malicious, access to the destination is blocked immediately.
URL detonation: When a user clicks on a link with an unknown reputation, the system examines the destination for suspicious behavior in a secure “sandbox” environment. The system notifies users that it is scanning the link during the scanning process. If the link is deemed malicious, the system warns the user not to open it.
Anti-spoofing technology: By utilizing machine learning and advanced analysis techniques, this technology detects signs that an email sender may not be who they claim to be. When the system identifies impersonation, it blocks or moves the email to the junk mail folder.
Multi-factor authentication: This feature protects your environment even if a phishing attack compromises a password. Advanced multi-factor authentication, coupled with Conditional Access, allows you to configure trusted locations (e.g., your office network) and prevent access from countries where you do not conduct business.
Benefits of Transitioning to Cloud-based Solutions
By transitioning to cloud-based productivity and collaboration solutions like Microsoft 365 Business Premium, organizations can achieve significant cost savings ranging from 10% to 50%. In addition to reduced hardware and infrastructure costs, simplified IT management, increased productivity, and enhanced security, there are a variety of other benefits that come with transitioning to cloud-based solutions. For example, organizations can enjoy greater flexibility, scalability, and accessibility, as well as improved collaboration and communication across teams. Overall, transitioning to cloud-based solutions can be a smart move for many organizations looking to improve efficiency and cut costs.
Microsoft Defender for Office 365: Enhance Threat Protection
Microsoft is dedicated to providing the most secure technology possible for its users. Anti-phishing and anti-malware capabilities are integrated into Microsoft 365 Business Premium for Office 365 with Microsoft Defender.
As threats evolve rapidly, Microsoft continues to invest in expanding capabilities to safeguard mailboxes against attacks. Using artificial intelligence and a vast threat intelligence network, Microsoft’s machine learning models detect and protect against emerging threats in real-time. Additionally, their team of experienced security professionals offers expertise in combating malware, cyberattacks, and attacker motivations
Microsoft Defender for Office 365 collaborates with various defenses and sensors to exchange threat signals. Moreover, by integrating security data and systems, Microsoft’s security technologies enhance threat protection capabilities consistently.
Examples of Phishing Attacks
An employee falls victim to a scam where they receive an email from their company’s CEO instructing them to purchase electronic gift cards for a customer recognition event. Believing the request urgent, the employee hastily buys the gift cards online and sends the card numbers to the CEO. However, weeks later, the employee realizes that the CEO never made the request, indicating that they were deceived by a fraudulent email.
Another employee receives an email containing a link to a supposedly secure document. Eager to view the document, they enter their login credentials but encounter an error when loading it. Unaware of the significance, they forget about the issue and move on to other tasks. Entering their username and password can unwittingly provide hackers access to their email and other online accounts. As a result, the hackers may be able to breach systems and access data used by your company.
Other Business Premium Security Features:
Advanced Threat Protection (ATP)
- ATP safeguards against advanced malware and zero-day threats in email attachments, links, and collaborations within Microsoft 365 applications like SharePoint, OneDrive, and Teams.
Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
- DLP prevents the sharing of sensitive information by scanning and detecting sensitive data within emails, documents, and other file types. It helps enforce compliance with data protection regulations.
Identity and Access Management
- Microsoft 365 Business Premium provides robust identity and access controls, including Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), Conditional Access, and Single Sign-On (SSO). These features help ensure that only authorized users can access company resources.
Mobile Device Management (MDM)
- MDM allows administrators to manage and secure mobile devices that access company resources, such as smartphones and tablets. It includes data encryption, device-based access controls, and remote wipe of corporate data from lost or stolen devices.
Information Protection
- Microsoft 365 Business Premium offers tools for classifying and protecting sensitive data, such as encryption and rights management. It helps prevent unauthorized access and ensures data is secure within the organization and when shared with external parties.
Threat Intelligence
- Microsoft leverages a vast network of threat intelligence to provide real-time insights into emerging threats. Microsoft continuously uses the gathered information to update and improve the security capabilities of Microsoft 365 Business Premium. These features work together to provide a comprehensive and layered defense against various cyber threats and help protect businesses and their sensitive data.
Protect Your Organization Against Phishing Attacks
Phishing attacks pose a serious threat to organizations, and it’s essential to take action to protect against them. Fortunately, Microsoft 365 Business Premium offers advanced security features that can help safeguard your organization’s data and systems from phishing and other security threats. By transitioning to cloud-based solutions, companies can enjoy significant benefits, including increased productivity, enhanced collaboration and communication, improved security, and cost savings. To ensure your organization is protected against phishing attacks, consider implementing Microsoft 365 Business Premium and educating your employees about the risks and warning signs of phishing attacks. Don’t let your company fall victim to cybercriminals – take steps to protect yourself with Microsoft 365 Business Premium.
