Microsoft users who have received the email messages like the one below which claim they are advised to switch to a new version of Outlook to avoid disconnection is a phishing scam. The links in the fake email messages go to phishing websites operated by cyber criminals that steal Microsoft or Outlook account usernames and passwords.
Sample of the "Outlook Special Announcements" Phishing Email Message
From: Microsoft Admin <balmazeg@stud.jubilee.edu.jo>
Sent: March 25, 2017 10:48 AM
To: reply_not@msn.com
Subject: Outlook Special Announcements
Outlook Mail
You're advise to switch to the new version to avoid disconnection.
Start Now
Please do not reply to this e-mail. Mail sent to this address cannot be answered.
For assistance, log in to your email! website and choose the "Help" link on any page.
Customer Service Email ID # 1009.
c 2017!, Inc. All rights reserved.
Once the cybercriminals have gotten their potential victims' Microsoft account credentials, they will gain access to their accounts, hijack them, and use them fraudulently. Hijacked accounts that are used fraudulently will be blocked by Microsoft, therefore, Microsoft users who have been tricked by the phishing scam are asked to change their passwords before their accounts are hijacked.
Microsoft users whose accounts have already been hijacked may follow the instructions below to recover their accounts:
- Go to https://login.live.com/
- Enter your email address and click the "Next" button
- Click the "Forgot my password" link
- Click "I think someone else is using my Microsoft account" link
- Follow the rest of the instructions
Remember, never click on a link in an email message to sign into your Microsoft account. Always go directly to www.hotmail.com, www.outlook.com, or login.live.com to sign-in instead. After signing in, important notifications, changes or updates will be shown to you, if there is any.