The email message below which claims that the recipients' Outlook mailboxes have just been temporarily blocked for security reasons is a phishing scam. The fake email message is being sent by cybercriminals to trick Microsoft account users into sending them their account credentials, by asking them to click on a link in the same email message that goes a phishing Microsoft website. The phishing website, which looks exactly like Microsoft's sign-in page, will ask potential victims to sign-in with their Microsoft accounts’ credential, but once the information is submitted, it will be sent to the cybercriminals responsible for the fake website. The cybercriminals will then use the information to hijack their victims’ Microsoft accounts and use them fraudulently.
The "Outlook Your Mailbox has just been Temporarily Blocked for Security Reasons" Phishing Scam
Subject: Security Information
MSN Outlook <zikla@hotmail.fr>
Reply | Thu 9/28, 7:06 AM Service-outlook@live.fr
Dear subscriber, your mailbox has just been temporarily blocked for security reasons.
To continue using our services, please follow the procedure.
Click here Thank you for using our services Copyright 2017
Microsoft account users should never click on a link in an email message to sign into their accounts. It is recommended that they go directly to www.outlook.com, www.hotmail.com, or www.live.com, and sign into their accounts from there. Once they have signed in, they will be notified of important upgrade or changes. This is the best way to protect against phishing scams created by cybercriminals to steal online account credentials (usernames and passwords).