Security News > 2023 > October > LinkedIn Smart Links attacks return to target Microsoft accounts
Hackers are once again abusing LinkedIn Smart Links in phishing attacks to bypass protection measures and evade detection in attempts to steal Microsoft account credentials.
Smart Links are part of LinkedIn's Sales Navigator service, used for marketing and tracking, allowing Business accounts to email content using trackable links to determine who engaged with it.
The email security company today reports it identified a surge in LinkedIn Smart Link abuse recently, with over 800 emails of various subjects leading a broad range of targets to phishing pages.
According to Cofense, the recent attacks occurred between July and August 2023, using 80 unique Smart Links, and originated from newly created or compromised LinkedIn business accounts.
"Despite Finance and Manufacturing having higher volumes, it can be concluded that this campaign was not a direct attack on any one business or sector but a blanket attack to collect as many credentials as possible using LinkedIn business accounts and Smart Links to carry out the attack," explains Cofense.
To add legitimacy to the phishing process and create a false sense of authenticity on the Microsoft login page, the Smart Link sent to victims is adjusted to contain the target's email address.
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