Microsoft Defender Protection Email Scam – Don’t Fall For It
Written by: Stelian Pilici
Published on:
If you have received an email claiming that you have renewed your Microsoft Defender protection for a year and asking you to call a customer care number, be careful. This email is not from Microsoft, but from scammers who want to trick you into contacting them and giving them access to your computer or personal information. In this article, we will explain what this scam is, how it works, how to spot it, and what to do if you fall for it.
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What is the Microsoft Defender Protection Phishing Email Scam?
The Microsoft Defender Protection phishing email scam is a type of phishing scam that targets users of Microsoft products and services. Phishing is a fraudulent attempt to obtain sensitive information or money from unsuspecting people by impersonating a legitimate entity or person.
In this scam, scammers send out emails that look like they are from Microsoft and claim that recipients have renewed their Microsoft Defender protection for a year. Microsoft Defender is a legitimate antivirus software that protects Windows devices from malware and other threats.
The email provides details about the purchase, such as an invoice ID, product description, quantity, and price. It also includes an attachment that supposedly contains more information about the order. The email urges recipients to review the attachment and warns that the invoice is only valid for 72 hours. It also provides a phone number for customer care that is fake.
Here is how the Microsoft Defender Protection Phishing Email Scam looks:
Subject: Order Confirmation
Microsoft Accounts
Customer ID : Invoice ID : MS-8547-61263 Email : bob@mailinator.com Date :
Thank you for renewing your Microsoft Defender protection!
We are happy to inform you that your renewal is complete and you will be able to continue using the service for another year.
Product Microsoft Defender Protection
Description 1 Year subscription
Quantity 1
Quantity $399.00
Dear Customer
You can find more information about this purchase in the attachment below. Please note that this invoice is only valid for 72 hours from the date of purchase, so please take a moment to review it now.
If oyu have any questions or concerns about this invoice or your recent purchase, please contact our customer care representative at +1 845.261.0662 They will be happy to help answer any questions you might have.
The goal of the scammers is to trick recipients into calling the fake customer care number or opening the attachment. If recipients call the number, they will be connected to scammers who will try to deceive them and steal their personal information or money. If recipients open the attachment, they may download malware or ransomware that can harm their computer or lock their files.
How Does the Microsoft Defender Protection Phishing Email Scam Work?
The Microsoft Defender Protection phishing email scam works by exploiting the trust and curiosity of recipients. The scammers use social engineering techniques to make the email look convincing and urgent. They use the name and logo of Microsoft, a well-known and reputable company, to make the email seem legitimate. They also use a subject line that implies that recipients have made a purchase or a renewal that they may not be aware of or remember. This may prompt recipients to open the email and check the details of the order.
The scammers also create a sense of urgency by stating that the invoice is only valid for 72 hours and that recipients need to review it as soon as possible. This may pressure recipients to act quickly and call the customer care number or open the attachment without thinking twice.
The scammers also use a fake customer care number that looks like a toll-free number or a local number. This may make recipients think that they are calling a genuine Microsoft support line. However, when they call the number, they will be greeted by scammers who will pretend to be Microsoft representatives or technicians.
The scammers may then use various tactics to deceive callers and obtain their personal information or money. For example, they may:
Ask callers to verify their identity by providing their name, address, email, phone number, credit card details, or other sensitive information.
Ask callers to pay for the renewal or cancelation of the Microsoft Defender protection service using gift cards, wire transfers, or other untraceable methods.
Ask callers to download a remote access tool or visit a website that allows them to access callers’ computers remotely.
Claim that callers’ computers have been infected with viruses or malware and offer to fix them for a fee.
Install malware or ransomware on callers’ computers that can steal their data or lock their files until they pay a ransom.
How to Spot the Microsoft Defender Protection Phishing Email Scam?
There are some signs that can help you spot the Microsoft Defender Protection phishing email scam and avoid falling for it. Here are some of them:
The email is unsolicited and unexpected. You did not order or renew any Microsoft product or service recently.
The email contains spelling and grammatical errors or uses poor language.
The email does not address you by your name but uses generic salutations such as “Dear Customer” or “Dear User”.
The email provides an invoice ID, product description, quantity, and price that do not match your purchase history or records.
The email includes an attachment that has an unusual file extension or name.
The email urges you to call a customer care number that is not listed on the official Microsoft website or contact page.
The email creates a sense of urgency by stating that the invoice is only valid for 72 hours or that you need to act fast.
The email does not include any other contact information such as an email address or a website link.
What to Do If You Fall for the Microsoft Defender Protection Phishing Email Scam?
If you have received the Microsoft Defender protection phishing email and called the fake customer care number, you may have fallen victim to a scam. Here are some steps you can take to protect yourself and your device:
Hang up the phone immediately and do not follow any instructions given by the scammers.
If you have given the scammers remote access to your computer, disconnect it from the internet and scan it with Malwarebyte Anti-Malware (as seen below).
If you have shared any personal information with the scammers, such as your name, address, email, password, credit card number, or bank account details, you should change them as soon as possible. You should also monitor your accounts for any suspicious activity and report any unauthorized transactions to your bank or credit card company.
If you have paid any money to the scammers, you should contact your bank or credit card company and try to reverse the payment or dispute the charge. You should also report the scam to your local authorities and consumer protection agencies.
If you have downloaded any attachments or clicked on any links from the phishing email, you should delete them from your device and empty your trash bin. You should also scan your device with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware as seen below.
To prevent falling for similar scams in the future, you should always be wary of unsolicited emails that claim to be from Microsoft or other reputable companies. You should never open attachments or click on links from such emails without verifying their authenticity. You should also never call any phone numbers or visit any websites that are provided in such emails without checking their legitimacy. You can always contact Microsoft directly through their official website or phone number if you have any questions or concerns about your account or subscription.
Check if you’re device is infected with malware
The Microsoft Defender Protection Email Scam can contain malware within the attachments or links that appear in the body of the email. By interacting with the malware — for example, opening or downloading an attachment that contains a malicious payload — the user may unknowingly infect their device or network, enabling attackers to gain access to protected applications and data.
To check your computer or phone for Trojans, browser hijackers, or other malware and remove them for free, you run a scan with Malwarebytes Free.
Malwarebytes can run on Windows, Mac, and Android devices. Depending on which operating system is installed on the device you’re trying to run a Malwarebytes scan, please click on the tab below and follow the displayed steps.
Malwarebytes For WindowsMalwarebytes For MacMalwarebytes For Android
Scan your computer with Malwarebytes for Windows to remove malware
Malwarebytes stands out as one of the leading and widely-used anti-malware solutions for Windows, and for good reason. It effectively eradicates various types of malware that other programs often overlook, all at no cost to you. When it comes to disinfecting an infected device, Malwarebytes has consistently been a free and indispensable tool in the battle against malware. We highly recommend it for maintaining a clean and secure system.
Download Malwarebytes for Windows
You can download Malwarebytes by clicking the link below.
After the download is complete, locate the MBSetup file, typically found in your Downloads folder. Double-click on the MBSetup file to begin the installation of Malwarebytes on your computer. If a User Account Control pop-up appears, click “Yes” to continue the Malwarebytes installation.
Follow the On-Screen Prompts to Install Malwarebytes
When the Malwarebytes installation begins, the setup wizard will guide you through the process.
You’ll first be prompted to choose the type of computer you’re installing the program on—select either “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer” as appropriate, then click on Next.
Malwarebytes will now begin the installation process on your device.
When the Malwarebytes installation is complete, the program will automatically open to the “Welcome to Malwarebytes” screen.
On the final screen, simply click on the Open Malwarebytes option to start the program.
Enable “Rootkit scanning”.
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware will now start, and you will see the main screen as shown below. To maximize Malwarebytes’ ability to detect malware and unwanted programs, we need to enable rootkit scanning. Click on the “Settings” gear icon located on the left of the screen to access the general settings section.
In the settings menu, enable the “Scan for rootkits” option by clicking the toggle switch until it turns blue.
Now that you have enabled rootkit scanning, click on the “Dashboard” button in the left pane to get back to the main screen.
Perform a Scan with Malwarebytes.
To start a scan, click the Scan button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its antivirus database and begin scanning your computer for malicious programs.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will now scan your computer for browser hijackers and other malicious programs. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Quarantine detected malware
Once the Malwarebytes scan is complete, it will display a list of detected malware, adware, and potentially unwanted programs. To effectively remove these threats, click the “Quarantine” button.
Malwarebytes will now delete all of the files and registry keys and add them to the program’s quarantine.
Restart your computer.
When removing files, Malwarebytes may require a reboot to fully eliminate some threats. If you see a message indicating that a reboot is needed, please allow it. Once your computer has restarted and you are logged back in, you can continue with the remaining steps.
Your computer should now be free of trojans, adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
If your current antivirus allowed this malicious program on your computer, you may want to consider purchasing Malwarebytes Premium to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still having problems with your computer after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
Scan your computer with Malwarebytes for Mac to remove malware
Malwarebytes for Mac is an on-demand scanner that can destroy many types of malware that other software tends to miss without costing you absolutely anything. When it comes to cleaning up an infected device, Malwarebytes has always been free, and we recommend it as an essential tool in the fight against malware.
Download Malwarebytes for Mac.
You can download Malwarebytes for Mac by clicking the link below.
When Malwarebytes has finished downloading, double-click on the setup file to install Malwarebytes on your computer. In most cases, downloaded files are saved to the Downloads folder.
Follow the on-screen prompts to install Malwarebytes.
When the Malwarebytes installation begins, you will see the Malwarebytes for Mac Installer which will guide you through the installation process. Click “Continue“, then keep following the prompts to continue with the installation process.
When your Malwarebytes installation completes, the program opens to the Welcome to Malwarebytes screen. Click the “Get started” button.
Select “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer”.
The Malwarebytes Welcome screen will first ask you what type of computer are you installing this program, click either Personal Computer or Work Computer.
Click on “Scan”.
To scan your computer with Malwarebytes, click on the “Scan” button. Malwarebytes for Mac will automatically update the antivirus database and start scanning your computer for malware.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will scan your computer for adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious programs. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Click on “Quarantine”.
When the scan has been completed, you will be presented with a screen showing the malware infections that Malwarebytes has detected. To remove the malware that Malwarebytes has found, click on the “Quarantine” button.
Restart computer.
Malwarebytes will now remove all the malicious files that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your computer.
Your Mac should now be free of adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
If your current antivirus allowed a malicious program on your computer, you might want to consider purchasing the full-featured version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still experiencing problems while trying to remove a malicious program from your computer, please ask for help in our Mac Malware Removal Help & Support forum.
Scan your phone with Malwarebytes for Android to remove malware
Malwarebytes for Android automatically detects and removes dangerous threats like malware and ransomware so you don’t have to worry about your most-used device being compromised. Aggressive detection of adware and potentially unwanted programs keeps your Android phone or tablet running smooth.
Download Malwarebytes for Android.
You can download Malwarebytes for Android by clicking the link below.
In the Google Play Store, tap “Install” to install Malwarebytes for Android on your device.
When the installation process has finished, tap “Open” to begin using Malwarebytes for Android. You can also open Malwarebytes by tapping on its icon in your phone menu or home screen.
Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the setup process
When Malwarebytes will open, you will see the Malwarebytes Setup Wizard which will guide you through a series of permissions and other setup options. This is the first of two screens that explain the difference between the Premium and Free versions. Swipe this screen to continue. Tap on “Got it” to proceed to the next step. Malwarebytes for Android will now ask for a set of permissions that are required to scan your device and protect it from malware. Tap on “Give permission” to continue. Tap on “Allow” to permit Malwarebytes to access the files on your phone.
Update database and run a scan with Malwarebytes for Android
You will now be prompted to update the Malwarebytes database and run a full system scan.
Click on “Update database” to update the Malwarebytes for Android definitions to the latest version, then click on “Run full scan” to perform a system scan.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will now start scanning your phone for adware and other malicious apps. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Click on “Remove Selected”.
When the scan has been completed, you will be presented with a screen showing the malware infections that Malwarebytes for Android has detected. To remove the malicious apps that Malwarebytes has found, tap on the “Remove Selected” button.
Restart your phone.
Malwarebytes for Android will now remove all the malicious apps that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your device.
Your phone should now be free of adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
If your current antivirus allowed a malicious app on your phone, you may want to consider purchasing the full-featured version of Malwarebytes to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still having problems with your phone after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
Restore your phone to factory settings by going to Settings > General management > Reset > Factory data reset.
We hope this article has helped you understand how to identify and avoid the Microsoft Defender protection phishing email scam. Remember to always stay vigilant and protect yourself from online fraudsters. For more tips and advice on how to stay safe online, visit our blog regularly and subscribe to our newsletter.
How to Stay Safe Online
Here are 10 basic security tips to help you avoid malware and protect your device:
Use a good antivirus and keep it up-to-date.
It's essential to use a good quality antivirus and keep it up-to-date to stay ahead of the latest cyber threats. We are huge fans of Malwarebytes Premium and use it on all of our devices, including Windows and Mac computers as well as our mobile devices. Malwarebytes sits beside your traditional antivirus, filling in any gaps in its defenses, and providing extra protection against sneakier security threats.
Keep software and operating systems up-to-date.
Keep your operating system and apps up to date. Whenever an update is released for your device, download and install it right away. These updates often include security fixes, vulnerability patches, and other necessary maintenance.
Be careful when installing programs and apps.
Pay close attention to installation screens and license agreements when installing software. Custom or advanced installation options will often disclose any third-party software that is also being installed. Take great care in every stage of the process and make sure you know what it is you're agreeing to before you click "Next."
Install an ad blocker.
Use a browser-based content blocker, like AdGuard. Content blockers help stop malicious ads, Trojans, phishing, and other undesirable content that an antivirus product alone may not stop.
Be careful what you download.
A top goal of cybercriminals is to trick you into downloading malware—programs or apps that carry malware or try to steal information. This malware can be disguised as an app: anything from a popular game to something that checks traffic or the weather.
Be alert for people trying to trick you.
Whether it's your email, phone, messenger, or other applications, always be alert and on guard for someone trying to trick you into clicking on links or replying to messages. Remember that it's easy to spoof phone numbers, so a familiar name or number doesn't make messages more trustworthy.
Back up your data.
Back up your data frequently and check that your backup data can be restored. You can do this manually on an external HDD/USB stick, or automatically using backup software. This is also the best way to counter ransomware. Never connect the backup drive to a computer if you suspect that the computer is infected with malware.
Choose strong passwords.
Use strong and unique passwords for each of your accounts. Avoid using personal information or easily guessable words in your passwords. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your accounts whenever possible.
Be careful where you click.
Be cautious when clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources. These could potentially contain malware or phishing scams.
Don't use pirated software.
Avoid using Peer-to-Peer (P2P) file-sharing programs, keygens, cracks, and other pirated software that can often compromise your data, privacy, or both.
To avoid potential dangers on the internet, it's important to follow these 10 basic safety rules. By doing so, you can protect yourself from many of the unpleasant surprises that can arise when using the web.
Meet Stelian Pilici
Stelian leverages over a decade of cybersecurity expertise to lead malware analysis and removal, uncover scams, and educate people. His experience provides insightful analysis and valuable perspective.
