Outlook or Hotmail users should never click on a link in an email message to sign into their accounts. The phishing email message below, which steals email account credentials (usernames and passwords) is the reason why I am encouraging Outlook or Hotmail users never to click on links to sign into their accounts. They should instead, go directly to www.outlook.com or www.hotmail.com and sign-in from there. If there is something wrong with their accounts or there is something that they need to do, they will be notified right after signing in. This is the best method of preventing phishing scams, which are the most deceptive technique used by cybercriminals to steal their potential victims’ account usernames and passwords.
The Phishing Outlook or Hotmail Email Message
From: "Outlook Team" LOL141477627048136@onlineworking.centennialcollege.ca
Date: October 11, 2016 at 2:27:16 PM MDT
Subject: 13:27:05 10/11/2016 38707393489948) 13:27:05
Hotmail e-mail account: User-ID :HT86-5325
We have recently upgraded all our customer e-mail addresses to Outlook.com.
Due to this, your Hotmail account needs to be re-activated.
You can do this by just simply logging in on the link below:
If your e-mail account is not activated within 2 working days it may expire.
This is a compulsory process that affects all our customers.
Thank you for your support,
The Microsoft Outlook Users & Security team.
Recipients of the phishing email message above are asked to delete it and not follow the instructions in it. But, for Outlook or Hotmail users who have already been tricked by the same phishing email, are asked to change their Outlook or Hotmail account passwords immediately, before their accounts are hijacked and used fraudulently.