“Microsoft Outlook Account Will Be Disconnected” Email Scam
Written by: Stelian Pilici
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Email scams are a common way for cybercriminals to trick unsuspecting users into giving up their personal information, such as passwords, bank details, or credit card numbers. One of the latest email scams that has been circulating is the “Microsoft Outlook Account Will Be Disconnected” email scam, which targets Microsoft Outlook users and tries to steal their email credentials. In this blog post, we will explain what this email scam is, how it works, and what you can do if you have fallen victim to it.
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What is the Microsoft Outlook Account Will Be Disconnected Email Scam?
The “Microsoft Outlook Account Will Be Disconnected” email scam is a phishing email that pretends to be from Microsoft Outlook security team. The email claims that the recipient’s account will be disconnected from sending or receiving emails from other users due to unresolved issues or errors on their mail. The email urges the recipient to click on a link that says “RESOLVE ISSUE NOW” to fix the problem and avoid account deactivation. However, the link leads to a fake login page that asks for the user’s email address and password. If the user enters their credentials, they will be sent to the cybercriminals who can use them to access their email account and other online accounts that use the same password.
Here is how the “Microsoft Outlook Account Will Be Disconnected” spam email looks:
Subject: Security alert -MailRef#2927374302#-
Microsoft Outlook
Good day
Your account – will be disconnected from sending or receiving mails from other users. because you Continually neglect to resolve or Install My – App On Android & iPhone errors on your mail.
You need to resolve the errors or your account will be disconnected today.
How does the Microsoft Outlook Account Will Be Disconnected Email Scam work?
The “Microsoft Outlook Account Will Be Disconnected” email scam works by exploiting the fear and urgency of losing access to one’s email account. The email uses a convincing sender name, subject line, and logo to make it look like an official communication from Microsoft Outlook. The email also uses vague and generic language to avoid raising suspicion or triggering spam filters. The email does not address the recipient by name, nor does it specify what kind of issues or errors are affecting their mail. The email simply states that the recipient needs to resolve the issue immediately or face account disconnection.
The link in the email does not point to a legitimate Microsoft website, but to a phishing website that mimics the appearance of a Microsoft login page. The phishing website may have a similar domain name, such as outlook.com-resolveissue.com, or use a URL shortener service, such as bit.ly or tinyurl.com, to hide the real destination of the link. The phishing website may also have a padlock icon or a green address bar to make it look secure and trustworthy. However, these are only superficial indicators that can be easily faked by cybercriminals.
The phishing website asks for the user’s email address and password, claiming that this is necessary to verify their identity and resolve the issue. However, once the user enters their credentials, they will be sent to the cybercriminals who can use them to access their email account and other online accounts that use the same password. The cybercriminals can then use the compromised email account to send more phishing emails to the user’s contacts, steal sensitive information from their emails, or impersonate them for fraudulent purposes.
What to do if you have fallen victim?
If you have received the “Microsoft Outlook Account Will Be Disconnected” email scam and clicked on the link, you should take immediate action to protect your online security and privacy. Here are some steps you can take if you have fallen victim:
Change your password for your email account and any other online accounts that use the same password. Use a strong and unique password for each account and enable two-factor authentication if possible.
Scan your computer for malware using a reputable antivirus software. Malware can be installed on your computer when you visit phishing websites or click on malicious links or attachments.
Report the phishing email to Microsoft by forwarding it to reportphishing@apwg.org or phish@office365.microsoft.com. You can also report it to your local authorities or consumer protection agencies.
Check your email settings and activity for any unauthorized changes or suspicious activity. For example, check if there are any new rules, filters, forwarding addresses, or signatures that you did not set up. Also check if there are any unusual login attempts or devices accessing your account.
Be alert and cautious when opening emails from unknown senders or clicking on links or attachments in emails. Always verify the sender’s identity and the legitimacy of the message before taking any action. Do not trust emails that ask for your personal information, passwords, or payment details.
Is Your Device Infected? Check for Malware
If your device is running slowly or acting suspicious, it may be infected with malware. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free is a great option for scanning your device and detecting potential malware or viruses. The free version can efficiently check for and remove many common infections.
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.
The “Microsoft Outlook Account Will Be Disconnected” email scam is a phishing email that tries to steal your email credentials by pretending to be from Microsoft Outlook security team. The email claims that your account will be disconnected due to unresolved issues or errors on your mail and urges you to click on a link that leads to a fake login page. If you enter your credentials, they will be sent to the cybercriminals who can use them to access your email account and other online accounts that use the same password.
To avoid falling victim to this email scam, you should always check the sender’s name, email address, and domain name carefully. You should also look for spelling and grammar errors, vague and generic language, and unrealistic or urgent requests in the email. You should never click on links or attachments in emails that you are not expecting or that you do not trust. You should also keep your antivirus software updated and report any phishing emails to Microsoft or your local authorities.
If you have fallen victim to this email scam, you should change your password for your email account and any other online accounts that use the same password. You should also scan your computer for malware, report the phishing email, check your email settings and activity, and be alert and cautious when opening emails from unknown senders or clicking on links or attachments in emails.
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.
