Windows Live 'Re-activate your account' Phishing Scam
The Windows Live 'Re-activate your account' email phishing scam is designed to trick computer users into giving up their Windows live user name and password. This is done through a fake email from Windows Live. Usually, this email will contain a message suggesting that the victim reactive his Windows Live account by clicking on a provided link. Even though this link looks genuine, it actually leads to a website that is designed to closely mimic the appearance of a legitimate Windows Live website. However, hackers have designed it to fool computer users into giving up their personal information. Looking closely at the website's information reveals a gynecolog.net domain.
Responding to a Windows Live 'Re-activate your account' Email
ESG PC security researchers recommend ignoring any email that is similar to the Windows Live 'Re-activate your account' email. Websites like Windows Live, Facebook, Skype, or PayPal will never ask for your personal information, much less through an email like the Windows Live 'Re-activate your account' email. All emails related to this phishing scam should be sent directly to your spam email folder and eliminated. If you fell for this scam and entered your personal information into the fake Windows Live page, ESG security researchers strongly recommend that you log onto Windows Live and change your password before criminals can gain access to your account. Sometimes, the website associated with the Windows Live 'Re-activate your account' Email will request that you download a certain file or open an email attachment. There is a very high possibility that this file or email attachment contains a malware threat. If you have visited the fake Windows Live website or downloaded any files associated with the Windows Live 'Re-activate your account' Email, ESG team of malware advisers recommends starting up your computer in Safe Mode and using an up-to-date anti-malware scanner to check your hard drives for possible malware infections.
Protecting Yourself from the Windows Live 'Re-activate your account' Email Phishing Scam
ESG PC security researchers recommend several guidelines to protect yourself from scams like the Windows Live 'Re-activate your account' Email.
- Never open email attachments from unknown sources, or suspicious-looking emails from unknown sources.
- Never try to change your personal information for your online accounts through a third-party link or website.
- Use strong passwords to protect all of your online accounts.
Messages
The following messages associated with Windows Live 'Re-activate your account' Phishing Scam were found:
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Dear [user],
This e-mail has been sent to you by Hotmail to inform you that your account will be deactivated within the next 24 hours due to several unsuccessful login attempts on your account. To prevent this to happen please login securely to our activation link below: https//login.hotmail.com/config.verify?..... If you have already confirmed your information then please disregard this message. Regards, Hotmail member services. |
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We are sending you this e-mail because Microsoft SmartScreen Technology has detected that your account information is not correct.
This may be because your Hotmail account was accessed from an unfamiliar computer or you have made changes in your account information. Due , to this you will need to re-activate it your account by simply logging in on the following link: [misleading url] Failure to activate your account in 24 hours may result in permanent account suspension. In most situations, you should be able to activate your account in less than one minute. Regards, WindowsLife Security Team Microsoft respects your privacy. Please read our online Privacy Statement. |
