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Today I got an email from Microsoft claiming  unusual sign in activity. When I sign in to my Microsoft account to see the activity for at least the pass three weeks or so my email address has attempted log ins from a number of locations around the world. It seems strange that now after this length of time I get the email from Microsoft. My question is  Do I create another email without losing my contacts and how do I keep the emails I have so I don’t loose them. I use office 2019. Finally I have a primary address and a alias on my Microsoft account which one do I delete or will that be a mistake?

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First, change your password.  Secondly consider adding two factor.  Does it indicate a mere “attempt” or an actual log in?

Susan Bradley Patch Lady/Prudent patcher

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Mr Stan the man

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Hi Susan,

It was attempts that failed due to the wrong password. The thing that got me was the attempted log in came from different areas around the globe.

Please explain the two factor again and how it works.

All my best

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See How to use two-step verification with your Microsoft account

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Mr Stan the man

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I got the same warning email today. The IP address reports as a Microsoft address (13.101.84.211). I see another one even after changing the password and it did log in.

Lots of questions about it starting to show up online.

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook_com/forum/all/unusual-sign-in-activity/47ad22e0-a04f-47fd-89df-217f41386b61

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook_com/forum/all/outlook-mail-account-unusual-activity/6cfb226f-8cd7-41ae-bd0a-a80d100af543

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook_com/forum/all/login-activity-and-a-warning-unusual-activity/2778e964-9586-446a-9e67-7515be6c5a51

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Mr Stan the man

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Mr Stan the man wrote:

It was attempts that failed due to the wrong password. The thing that got me was the attempted log in came from different areas around the globe.

That could be simulated by someone who is using a VPN. But the links in T. Breeden’s post seem to indicate that something bigger is going on. Interesting but no less concerning.

I found this:

Unusual sign-in activity mail goes phishing for Microsoft account holders

https://blog.malwarebytes.com/scams/2022/03/unusual-sign-in-activity-mail-goes-phishing-for-microsoft-account-holders/

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Mr Stan the man

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Hi,

That’s a good point. It’s a possible VPN I didn’t think of that because on a particular day I see that I successfully logged in and shortly after on the same day someone in Japan tried to log in with the wrong password. This has been going on for a while it seems with failed log ins from Ukraine, Indonesia, and other area’s around the globe. So to avoid this from happening again should I just create another email address with a two step Auth. in place?

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Mr Stan the man wrote:

So to avoid this from happening again should I just create another email address with a two step Auth. in place?

I doubt you can avoid scenarios like this from happening again. It’s part of the world we now live in. But you certainly can help to protect yourself by following the advice Susan gave above to better secure your account(s).

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I had the same issue and found it very upsetting to see attempted break ins to my MS account!! Constant multiple login attempts from all over the world.  I have 2FA with MS Authenticator.  I knew my email had been compromised in multiple breaches and that I had to change it, but after having it for over 15 years, I was reluctant and slow to make the change. What a pain!!

Finally in Feb 2021, I created two new aliases on MS – one for primary email and one specifically for account logins that I could change & delete if compromised.  I changed the primary MS email to the new one and prevented the  old one from being allowed to login to MS account.  I updated my appleid, MS account, everywhere the new primary was needed. All other accounts used the account login email.  I have since started using Apple “Hide My Email” for account logins.  I no longer see failed login attempts on my MS account – for now!!!  I still have to delete the old compromised email – but had to ensure it wasn’t being used in any accounts, notify everyone.  Also, deleting it is a bit scary to me bc I’m afraid of messing something up but I will do it.  Been really busy with family stuff so can’t focus on it right now. I know it has to be deleted and I will get to it.

Of course, my new emails may be compromised, but for now it’s ok.  So many data breaches, so little accountability!!! This was my solution to the problem.  Donna

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