Experts urge Windows users to delete 'Microsoft' updates amid latest scam
Windows PC's are now at risk if users don't 'watch out' for this fake email.
Hackers have once again made a move against Microsoft as Windows 10 and 11 users have been placed on red alert as fake updates are currently in circulation. Action Fraud has issued the latest warning, saying that more and more PC owners have been receiving emails from 'Microsoft' that are actually scams.
On X, Action Fraud wrote: "Watch out for these FAKE emails purporting to be from Microsoft. The emails claim that your device is infected with malware, and encourages you to follow the links in the email."
For people who have followed the link, they are now at risk of scammers being able to hack into their accounts, target others and steal their money. In the past few days it has been revealed that over 250 Windows users have reported being targeted by cyber crooks.
Many victims have noted that the emails suggest that they are writing from the Microsoft Defender Security Centre, reports the Express. A few people have also nearly fallen for the scam as some seem to feature a Microsoft Security address in the message.
Once email users click the link, they are then shown a detailed list of the recent threats that have tried to target their PCs.
Windows users are then encouraged to use the provided links to view a full report of the threats or run a scan of their device.
However, this is only created to fool users into thinking they are already under attack when in fact they only became a target when they followed the link.
Instead of protecting the recipient's device, they are instead taken to malicious websites that are created to steal their financial and personal information.
As reports of this scam continue to rise, Action Fraud is warning all Windows users to be careful. They said: "If you have any doubts about a message, contact the organisation directly. Don't use the numbers or address in the message - use the details from the official website.
"Your bank (or any other official source) will never ask you to supply personal information via email."
On top of this, Microsoft has clearly stated that they will not contact their users randomly and continue to ask for personal data. If users do receive these kinds of emails, they need to take extra caution.
The US technology firm said: "Microsoft does not send unsolicited email messages or make unsolicited phone calls to request personal or financial information, or to provide technical support to fix your computer.
"If you didn't ask us to, we won't call you to offer support. Download software only from official Microsoft partner websites or the Microsoft Store.
"Be wary of downloading software from third-party sites, as some of them might have been modified without the author's knowledge to bundle malware and other threats."
If Windows users are receiving emails saying their PC is in danger, don't be fooled.
Received a suspicious email? You can report it by forwarding the email to: report@phishing.gov.uk
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