This article examines the rise of social engineering attacks exploiting Windows Quick Assist, a built-in remote management tool. Attackers typically initiate these scams via phishing emails followed by unsolicited Microsoft Teams calls, posing as IT support to gain remote access to victim systems. By leveraging the trust associated with native Microsoft tools, threat actors can bypass traditional security awareness hurdles and establish a foothold within the environment.
To defend against these threats, organizations should implement both procedural and technical controls. Key recommendations include disabling Quick Assist if not required, migrating to more secure alternatives like Microsoft Intune Remote Help, and monitoring network egress for specific Microsoft support URLs. Additionally, educating users on legitimate IT support protocols and conducting regular social engineering simulations are vital for early detection and mitigation.