Microsoft Security Blog: Threat actors leverage tax season to deploy tax-themed phishing campaigns

Apr 3, 2025

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Source URL: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/blog/2025/04/03/threat-actors-leverage-tax-season-to-deploy-tax-themed-phishing-campaigns/
Source: Microsoft Security Blog
Title: Threat actors leverage tax season to deploy tax-themed phishing campaigns

Feedly Summary: As Tax Day approaches in the United States on April 15, Microsoft has detected several tax-themed phishing campaigns employing various tactics. These campaigns use malicious hyperlinks and attachments to deliver credential phishing and malware including RaccoonO365, AHKBot, Latrodectus, BruteRatel C4 (BRc4), and Remcos.
The post Threat actors leverage tax season to deploy tax-themed phishing campaigns appeared first on Microsoft Security Blog.

AI Summary and Description: Yes

Summary: The text discusses recent phishing campaigns that exploit the tax season, revealing tactics such as the use of malicious attachments, URL shorteners, and QR codes. It highlights the risks associated with these campaigns, including the deployment of various types of malware, and emphasizes Microsoft’s tools for detection and prevention. This insight is critical for security professionals aiming to fortify defenses against evolving social engineering threats.

Detailed Description:
The text outlines an increase in phishing activities as the United States approaches Tax Day, with a focus on the methods used by threat actors to deceive users into divulging sensitive information or downloading malware. Key points from the analysis include:

– **Phishing Techniques**: Threat actors are utilizing tax-related themes to formulate deceptive emails, which may include URL shorteners and QR codes to circumvent traditional security filters.
– **Malware Deployment**: The campaigns involve various malware types designed for remote access and data theft, including:
– **RaccoonO365**: A phishing-as-a-service platform that imitates Microsoft 365 sign-in pages to capture credentials.
– **BRc4**: An advanced adversarial simulation tool that has been exploited for malicious purposes.
– **Latrodectus** and **AHKBot**: Tools intended for various stages of cyberattacks, including data harvesting and system manipulation.
– **Common Campaign Characteristics**:
– Emails often contain enticing subjects like “IRS Audit” or “Unusual Activity Detected” to provoke urgency.
– Attachments may disguise malicious content as legitimate documents, like tax forms, with embedded links or QR codes directing users to harmful sites.
– **Countermeasures and Recommendations**:
– **User Education**: Organizations are urged to educate users about recognizing phishing attempts and securing personal and business information.
– **Microsoft Security Tools**: Leveraging tools like Microsoft Defender for Office 365 for email filtering and threat detection, as well as advocating for multifactor authentication (MFA) as a best practice to enhance account security.
– **Regular Updates and Monitoring**: Continuously updating security measures and employing automated detection tools can help minimize the risks presented by newly emerging threats.

This information is vital for security stakeholders, as it not only details specific threat actors and their tactics but also provides actionable advice for strengthening defenses during high-risk periods like tax season. By remaining vigilant and adopting comprehensive security measures, organizations can better protect themselves against these sophisticated threats.

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