Microsoft users who have received the fake "Microsoft Outlook Upgrade Authorization" email below which claims they need to switch to a new version of Outlook to avoid interruption is a phishing scam. The links in the fake email message go to phishing websites operated by cybercriminals that steal Microsoft or Outlook account usernames and passwords.
The "Microsoft Outlook Upgrade Authorization" Phishing Scam
From: MSN.com SUPPORTS <adeltayeb22@hotmail.com>
Sent: Friday, May 4, 2018 5:43:10 PM
To: securitynotifications@microsoft.com
Subject: Upgrade Authorization
Microsοft
Dear Outlook.com user
You are advised to switch to the new version to avoid service interruption switch below
Switch Here
Thanks,
Outlook
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.