421190 – Microsoft Teams: Brand Impersonation Protection for Teams Messaging (archived)

Product:

Teams

Platform:

Mac, Windows Desktop, World tenant

Status:

Launched

Change type:

Links:

MC910976

Details:

Identify if an external user is impersonating a brand commonly targeted by phishing attacks, during their initial contact with an enterprise user via Teams messages.

Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:
General Availability

Created:
2024-10-10

updated:
2025-02-11

Docu to Check

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MS workload name

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summary for non-techies**

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Direct effects for Operations**

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explanation for non-techies**

Microsoft Teams has introduced a new feature aimed at enhancing security by identifying potential brand impersonation during initial contact with enterprise users. This feature is particularly important as it addresses the growing concern of phishing attacks, where malicious actors pose as reputable brands to deceive users into sharing sensitive information.

Think of this feature as a security guard at the entrance of a building. Just as a guard checks the identity of visitors before allowing them to enter, this feature checks the identity of external users who send messages to enterprise users on Teams. If someone is pretending to be a well-known brand, the system will flag this suspicious activity, much like how a guard would alert you if someone was trying to enter the building with a fake ID.

This proactive measure is designed to protect users from falling victim to scams that could compromise personal or organizational data. By identifying impersonators early, the feature acts as a first line of defense, ensuring that only legitimate communications are allowed through.

In practical terms, this means that when an external user sends a message on Teams, the system analyzes the message to see if it matches patterns commonly associated with phishing attempts. If a potential threat is detected, the user is alerted, allowing them to take appropriate action, such as reporting the message or blocking the sender.

Overall, this new feature is a step towards making digital communication safer, much like how improved security measures in physical spaces make us feel more secure. By integrating this capability into Teams, Microsoft aims to provide users with a more secure messaging environment, reducing the risk of falling prey to brand impersonation scams.