Article: Additional steps to help keep your personal information secure - Microsoft on the Issues
We will now notify you if we believe your account has been targeted or compromised by an individual or group working on behalf of a nation state.
We’re taking this additional step of specifically letting you know if we have evidence that the attacker may be “state-sponsored” because it is likely that the attack could be more sophisticated or more sustained than attacks from cybercriminals and others. These notifications do not mean that Microsoft’s own systems have in any way been compromised.
If you receive one of these notifications it doesn’t necessarily mean that your account has been compromised, but it does mean we have evidence your account has been targeted, and it’s very important you take additional measures to keep your account secure. You should also make sure your computer and other devices don’t not have viruses or malware installed, and that all your software is up to date.
The evidence we collect in any active investigation may be sensitive, so we do not plan on providing detailed or specific information about the attackers or their methods. But when the evidence reasonably suggests the attacker is “state sponsored,” we will say so.
You can read more about the steps you can take to better protect your personal data and make any necessary changes on the Microsoft Account Security Page.
Learn about account security and following some simple steps:We’re taking this additional step of specifically letting you know if we have evidence that the attacker may be “state-sponsored” because it is likely that the attack could be more sophisticated or more sustained than attacks from cybercriminals and others. These notifications do not mean that Microsoft’s own systems have in any way been compromised.
If you receive one of these notifications it doesn’t necessarily mean that your account has been compromised, but it does mean we have evidence your account has been targeted, and it’s very important you take additional measures to keep your account secure. You should also make sure your computer and other devices don’t not have viruses or malware installed, and that all your software is up to date.
The evidence we collect in any active investigation may be sensitive, so we do not plan on providing detailed or specific information about the attackers or their methods. But when the evidence reasonably suggests the attacker is “state sponsored,” we will say so.
You can read more about the steps you can take to better protect your personal data and make any necessary changes on the Microsoft Account Security Page.
- Use a strong password, and change it often
- Keep your security info up to date
- Watch for suspicious activity
- Turn on two-step verification
- Update your operating system, browser, and other software
- Be careful of suspicious emails and websites
- Install an antivirus program on your computer
