Windows 10: Microsoft: Additional steps to help keep personal information secure

Brink · Dec 30, 2015

We’re committed to helping our users keep their personal information secure and private. A key part of our work is identifying and preventing unauthorized access to your Microsoft Account (including Outlook.com email and OneDrive) by anyone other than you.

We’re taking an additional step today. 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 already notify users if we believe their accounts have been targeted or compromised by a third party, and we provide guidance on measures users can take to keep their accounts secure. 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.

There are some important steps that everyone should take to help keep their Microsoft Account and their online personal information secure including:

Turn on two-step verification: This makes it harder for hackers to access your account even if they guess your password because if they try to sign in on a device Microsoft doesn’t recognize, we’ll ask for an extra security code (which you can get from a special app on your phone, sent to a different email address or via SMS text message).

Use a strong password and change it often: Make sure your password contains a mix of letters, numbers and symbols, isn’t a complete word and is different than the password you use on other sites. Be sure to change your password often.

Watch for suspicious activity on your account: The “Recent Activity” page on your Microsoft Account shows recent sign-ins and changes to your account, and allows you to let Microsoft know if you were not the person making these changes.

Be careful of suspicious emails and websites: Don’t open emails from unfamiliar senders or email attachments that you don’t recognize. Be careful when downloading apps or files from the Internet, and make sure you know the source.

Keep your computer software, including your Web browser, up to date and run an up-to-date anti-virus program: For Windows PCs, you should turn on Windows Update to ensure your PC and Microsoft software stay up to date. You should install a reputable anti-virus/ anti-malware software. Both Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 already include free anti-malware software called Windows Defender.

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.
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Source: Additional steps to help keep your personal information secure - Microsoft on the Issues

Rocky · Jan 1, 2016

This is interesting. Microsoft is going to tell the bad guys that they are being watched.

:)

Auriel Kitsu · Jan 1, 2016

Win 10 Pro 64-bit: Suspect Network Penetration

Response for additional information

1. How did you install Windows 10 in your system? Registered for free-upgrade of my workstation and laptop

2. Did Japanese language pack installed in your system? I intentionally loaded Chinese/Japanese

3. Which anti-virus software is installed in your system? McAfee Multi-Access/Total Protection

4. Do you login through Local account or Microsoft account? Microsoft Login/PW Changed Monthly

Reference: Additional steps to help keep your personal information secure

Additional steps to help keep your personal information secure - Microsoft on the Issues

Please reply here with the results so that we can assist you further.
Click to expand...

Suvarna Govinda · Jan 1, 2016

Win 10 Pro 64-bit: Suspect Network Penetration

Hi,

Thank you for posting your query in Microsoft Community.

I understand your concern regarding the issue that you are facing.

To assist you better please provide few details.

1. How did you installed Windows 10 in your system?

2. Did Japanese language pack installed in your system?

3. Which anti-virus software is installed in your system?

4. Did you try to login through Local account or Microsoft account?

If it is Microsoft account, It is more secured to use.Microsoft account is the email address you use, along with your password, to sign in to any Microsoft program or service, such as Outlook.com, Hotmail, Messenger, OneDrive, Xbox LIVE, or Office Live.

Reference: Additional steps to help keep your personal information secure

Additional steps to help keep your personal information secure - Microsoft on the Issues

Please reply here with the results so that we can assist you further.

Cr00zng · Jan 1, 2016

This is interesting. Microsoft is going to tell the bad guys that they are being watched.
Click to expand...

It's more of a PR announcement than anything else... Microsoft is watching everyone, be that on devices or in the cloud. It's unlikely that the "bad guys" didn't know that, even without MS spelling it out. For that matter, it's also unlikely that the "bad guys" don't know that they are being watched by Google, Yahoo, social networks, etc.

hTconeM9user · Jan 1, 2016

It's more of a PR announcement than anything else... Microsoft is watching everyone, be that on devices or in the cloud. It's unlikely that the "bad guys" didn't know that, even without MS spelling it out. For that matter, it's also unlikely that the "bad guys" don't know that they are being watched by Google, Yahoo, social networks, etc.
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Yes that is nice to know so they are coming in line with everyone else,

Cr00zng · Apr 4, 2018

Yes that is nice to know so they are coming in line with everyone else,
Click to expand...

MS had completed coming in line with everyone else for awhile... *Wink

They didn't have much of a choice, if they'd want to be relevant in the future...

Windows 10: Microsoft: Additional steps to help keep personal information secure

Microsoft: Additional steps to help keep personal information secure

Microsoft: Additional steps to help keep personal information secure

Microsoft: Additional steps to help keep personal information secure

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