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