Beware: ClickFix Attack Spreads Malware Through Fake Booking.com Emails

TL;DR

Microsoft has issued a warning about an ongoing phishing campaign targeting hospitality workers. The campaign uses ClickFix social engineering attacks disguised as Booking.com emails to deliver infostealers and RATs. Hospitality workers should be vigilant about suspicious emails and take precautions to avoid falling victim to these attacks.

Introduction

Microsoft has recently alerted the public about an active phishing campaign targeting the hospitality industry. This campaign employs ClickFix social engineering attacks, masquerading as legitimate Booking.com emails, to distribute various types of malware, including infostealers and Remote Access Trojans (RATs)¹.

Understanding the ClickFix Attack

The ClickFix attack leverages social engineering tactics to deceive hospitality workers. Victims receive fake Booking.com emails that appear authentic, prompting them to click on malicious links or download attachments. These actions trigger the installation of malware, such as infostealers and RATs, which can compromise sensitive information and gain unauthorized access to systems¹.

Impact on the Hospitality Industry

The hospitality industry is particularly vulnerable to these attacks due to the high volume of email communications related to bookings and reservations. The malware distributed through this campaign can lead to significant data breaches, financial losses, and reputational damage for affected organizations¹.

Preventive Measures

To safeguard against these phishing attempts, hospitality workers should adopt the following best practices:

• Verify Email Authenticity: Always confirm the legitimacy of emails, especially those requesting urgent action or containing links and attachments.
• Use Email Filtering: Implement robust email filtering solutions to detect and block suspicious emails.
• Educate Employees: Conduct regular training sessions to educate employees about the latest phishing tactics and the importance of email vigilance.
• Update Security Software: Ensure that all security software, including antivirus and anti-malware programs, are up-to-date.

Conclusion

The ongoing ClickFix attack targeting the hospitality industry highlights the need for enhanced cybersecurity measures. By staying informed and adopting proactive security practices, hospitality workers can protect themselves and their organizations from the threats posed by these sophisticated phishing campaigns. For more details, visit the full article: source¹.

References

1. BleepingComputer (2025). “ClickFix attack delivers infostealers, RATs in fake Booking.com emails”. BleepingComputer. Retrieved 2025-03-13. ↩︎ ↩︎² ↩︎³ ↩︎⁴