pfishing from .gov

Question

Why am I receiving so many bogus pfishing emails from @xxx.gov sites???

Answer 1

Hello, I know how concerning this is. I suggest you do not click any links or attachments, please report the message as phishing using the “Report” button, and blocking the sender. You should also check your account security at https://account.microsoft.com/security update your password if needed and turn on two-step verification.

Answer 2

Receiving bogus phishing emails from domains that appear to be associated with government entities (like those ending in .gov) can be concerning. Phishing attacks often use spoofed email addresses to appear legitimate, and attackers may exploit trusted domains to trick users into revealing personal information or downloading malware.

Here are a few reasons why you might be receiving such emails:

1. Spoofing: Attackers can forge the sender's address to make it look like the email is coming from a legitimate government domain. This is a common tactic used in phishing scams.
2. Targeted Campaigns: Phishing campaigns can be targeted at specific groups, including individuals who may have interacted with government services or agencies in the past.
3. Increased Phishing Activity: There has been a general increase in phishing attempts, and attackers often use various tactics to bypass filters and reach users, including impersonating trusted organizations.

To protect yourself, be cautious with unsolicited emails, especially those requesting personal information or urging immediate action. Always verify the sender's email address and look for signs of phishing, such as poor grammar, suspicious links, or unexpected attachments.

If you suspect an email is a phishing attempt, do not click on any links or provide any personal information. You can report such emails to your email provider or the relevant authorities.

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References:

• Phishing trends and techniques
• How do I know if an email from Microsoft support is genuine?
• How to protect against phishing attacks
• Phishing investigation
• How Microsoft 365 validates the From address to prevent phishing