Beware of "Microsoft Security Info Update 2018" Phishing Email Scam

I was caught out by the Microsoft security info update yesterday and could kick myself, as this is the first time. I wondered when asked to put in the password (which I could not remember anyway) and just pressed enter and whatever was there in the 'security dots' was accepted. Today I checked and found this scam, so have changed my password and added verification. Am I safe now or not?

I feel like I was scammed a couple weeks ago from 'care@alltimedesk.com'. My home computer locked up and a message flashed on screen to call the Microsoft help team to resolve the issue. I was in a hurry and my gut feeling didn't prevent me from moving forward. It cost me $350 and I'm not sure if they actually did anything but my computer now works. I have the email they sent me for confirmation of fix and payment. Thanks for any info.

Here is another scam:

"From: Mail Server <asiancup_kw@hotmail.com>

Sent: Monday, June 4, 2018 2:19:57 AM

To: member_service@outlook.com

Subject: Final Account Update

Account Security Info Update

Your Mailbox will expire on JUNE 06 , 2018

This is to notify you that we are currently updating the windows services agreement and privacy statement.

Please keep your security information updated.

Do not ignore!

UPGRADE NOW

NOTE: YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS WILL BE DISABLED IF NOT UPDATED. (UPDATE IS FREE)

Thank you for using our services."

If you click the link on accident, would anything happen to your account or will you be fine. As I accidentally clicked the link before realising it's a scam. Thank you

I have received two separate email phishing attempts directed at two different email accounts ... a gmail and an Earthlink account ... from a source purporting to be the "Microsoft Account Security Team:

"Microsoft account

Security alert

We think that someone else might have accessed the Microsoft account nf*****@earthlink.net. When this happens, we require you to verify your identity with a security challenge and then change your password the next time you sign in.

If someone else has access to your account, they have your password and might be trying to access your personal information or send junk email.

If you haven't already recovered your account, we can help you do it now.

Recover account

Learn how to make your account more secure.

Thanks,

The Microsoft account team"

When you hover your cursor over the "Recover Account" link box, the URL is simply "live.account.com"

Since I do not have a live.com account and since neither of my two email accounts are experiencing any issues and do not present any warnings or instructions when I sign into them, I feel I can safely assume these are phishing attempts.

The emails appear to be legitimate and are not full

of spelling and grammatical errors as so many phishing attempts often are. However, the instructions do not follow the normal procedure that Microsoft typically does and given that two were of these emails were sent in regard to 2 different, unrelated email accounts and considering that I do not have a live.account.com nor do I have a Microsoft account in consistent use -- I have made the assumption that these are fraudulent phishing attempts. Nor does the green authentication shield from Microsoft appear anywhere in the emails.

I highly recommend that people should be alerted to this current phishing scam.

I am receiving emails like the one above almost daily. At first they were worded slightly different but now they state "from a trusted sender" this raised alarms to me. I thought maybe it was genuine but on forwarding the email to info@onlinethreatalerts.com I was reassured it was a phishing scam. Don't be tempted to open anything suspicious it's not worth risking

Here is another scam:

"From: Microsoft.com SUPPORTS <bb.forms@hotmail.com>

Sent: Monday, April 30, 2018 10:31:46 AM

To: securityservice@microsoft.com

Subject: ❶✉ Security info update 30-04-2018 (Action Requested)

This message is sent from a trusted sender

Microsoft account

Security info update

To continue with security update, click the button below.

Continue

This help protects your email from spam

Thanks,

The Microsoft account team"

Here is another scam:

"From: Email Administrator

Sent: Monday, April 16, 18:37

Subject: Closing of your account is been processed

To: microsoft-verification@outlook.services-inc.com

This message is sent from a trusted sender

FINAL 2018 UPDATE

Attention User,

This message is being sent to you to inform you that your account will expire on 17/04/2018.

If you wish to continue using this account please upgrade to our services. Ignoring this message will cause the account to be closed

Update your account

Note: This upgrade is required immediately after receiving this message

Thank you

Security account team'

Here is another scam:

-------- Original message --------

From: "Microsoft.com SUPPORTS" <brydon01@hotmail.com>

Date: 10/04/2018 4:19 pm (GMT 00:00)

To: secureservices@inc-msn.com

Subject: ❶✉ Security info update

This message is sent from a trusted sender

Microsoft account

Security info update

To continue with security update, click the button below.

Continue

This help protects your email from spam

Thanks,

The Microsoft account team

Here is another scam:

"Mandatory Mail Service

Account Service <salim_telecom@hotmail.com>

Thu 3/29/2018, 7:45 PM

FINAL 2018 UPDATE

Attention User,

This Message is Sent to you to INFORM you that Your Account will expire on 01/4/2018 .

If you wish to continue using this Account, Please Upgrade to Our Services in 48hours. Ignoring this message will cause the account to be closed.

Update your account

Note: This upgrade is required immediately after receiving this message

Thank you

Security account team."

received this one what do think this is?

Microsoft

Your Services Agreement made clearer

Your Services Agreement made clearer

You’re receiving this email because we are updating the Microsoft Services Agreement, which applies to one or more Microsoft products or services you use. We’re making these updates to clarify our terms and ensure that they remain transparent for you, as well as to cover new Microsoft products, services and features.

The Microsoft Services Agreement is an agreement between you and Microsoft (or one of its affiliates) that governs your use of Microsoft consumer online products and services.

You can read the entire Microsoft Services Agreement here. You can also learn more about these updates on our FAQ page here, including a summary of the most notable changes. The updates to the Microsoft Services Agreement will take effect on Ma‍y 1, 20‍18. If you continue to use our products and services on or after Ma‍y 1, 20‍18, you are agreeing to the updated Microsoft Services Agreement.

If you do not agree, you can choose to discontinue using the products and services, and close your Microsoft account before these terms become effective. If you are a parent or guardian, you are responsible for your child’s or teenager’s use of Microsoft products and services, including purchases.

Thank you for using Microsoft products and services.

Microsoft Privacy Statement

Microsoft Services Agreement

Frequently Asked Questions

Microsoft

Microsoft respects your privacy. To learn more, please read our Privacy Statement.

Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052 USA

Here is another scam:

"From: Microsoft.com Team <pizzaguy96@hotmail.com>

Sent: Thursday, February 15, 2018 4:05 AM

To: USER@T-ONLINE.DE

Subject: Account De-activation In Progress (A New Version Is Now Available)

This message is sent from a trusted sender

FINAL 2018 UPDATE

Attention User,

This message is being sent to you to inform you that your account will expire on 18/02/2018.

If you wish to continue using this account please upgrade to our services. Ignoring this message will cause the account to be closed

Update your account

Note: This upgrade is required immediately after receiving this message

Thank you

Security account team"