Detect and disrupt AI-themed attacks with Microsoft Defender
See how Microsoft Defender detects and disrupts AI-themed phishing, malware, and multi-stage attacks across the attack chain.
Credential theft
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DeadLock ransomware: Breaking down a Rust-based encryptor with decentralized recovery infrastructure
Microsoft Threat Intelligence examines DeadLock ransomware, an emerging financially motivated operation distinguished by its use of decentralized infrastructure to support victim communications, negotiations, and data leak operations alongside double extortion tactics used to pressure victims. -
CaptiveCrunch: Midnight Blizzard targets travelers worldwide for malware delivery and credential theft
Storm-2945, a sub-cluster of the Russian threat actor Midnight Blizzard, has been observed compromising the sign-in portals of hospitality-related organizations such as hotels since May 2026 in order to deliver malware to travelers and steal credentials in an operation we call CaptiveCrunch. -
Email threat landscape: Q2 2026 trends and insights
In the second quarter of 2026, the continuing effects of Microsoft’s disruption of the Tycoon2FA phishing platform contributed to sustained declines in several major phishing techniques, while threat actors expanded into Teams-based social engineering and employed increasingly automated and multi-stage attack chains. Retain Microsoft Defender Experts
Microsoft Defender Experts are available to strengthen your teams with expertise when and where you need it. Learn how to elevate your security with expert-led services.
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StealC and Amadey: Breaking down infostealers and the cybercrime services that deliver them
On June 24, 2026, Microsoft’s Digital Crimes Unit (DCU) facilitated the takedown, suspension, and blocking of domains that formed the backbone of the StealC and Amadey infrastructure. -
AI brands as bait: How threat actors are using the AI hype in social engineering
As threat actors operationalize AI to accelerate attacks, they are also leveraging the wider global interest around AI itself as a social engineering lure. -
Preinstall to persistence: Inside the Red Hat npm Miasma credential-stealing campaign
A large-scale npm supply chain attack compromised over 90 versions of @redhat-cloud-services packages, silently infecting CI/CD environments and developer systems. -
From edge appliance to enterprise compromise: Multi-stage Linux intrusion via F5 and Confluence
A multi-stage attack on Linux devices began with an exposed F5 BIG-IP edge appliance and pivoted to an internal Confluence server for credential theft and identity compromise. Modernize your Security Operations Center with Microsoft Sentinel
Microsoft Sentinel is a cloud-native SIEM solution powered by AI and automation that delivers intelligent security analytics across your entire enterprise.
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How Storm-2949 turned a compromised identity into a cloud-wide breach
Storm-2949 turned stolen credentials into a cloud-wide breach, moving from identity compromise to large-scale data theft without using malware. -
Undermining the trust boundary: Investigating a stealthy intrusion through third-party compromise
Microsoft Incident Response investigated an attack operated through legitimate and trusted administrative mechanisms to blend seamlessly into routine operations and remain undetected demonstrating that intrusions have increasingly avoided using noisy exploits, obvious malware, or custom tooling, instead leveraging systems that organizations already trust within their environments. -
Breaking the code: Multi-stage ‘code of conduct’ phishing campaign leads to AiTM token compromise
Microsoft Defender Research observed a large-scale credential theft campaign that exemplifies this trend, using code of conduct-themed lures, a multi-step attack chain, and legitimate email services to distribute fully authenticated messages from attacker-controlled domains. -
Email threat landscape: Q1 2026 trends and insights
In early 2026, email threats increased with a rise in credential phishing, QR code phishing, and CAPTCHA-gated campaigns, highlighted by Microsoft’s disruption of the Tycoon2FA phishing platform which led to a 15% volume decrease and shifts in threat actor tactics.
