Windows 10: Setup offering a "Link your Phone and PC" with an unknown number

Hi,


I've been using version 2004 for about a week mainly to try WSL2. I mainly use Ubuntu dual boot on this laptop so I haven't spent much time in my Windows partition. Last night I had a message saying that I should "restart your pc to repair drive errors", so I clicked "Restart Now". I think the errors were to do with me sharing the drive between Windows and Ubuntu, I think are unrelated to my main question...


When it rebooted, before the desktop loaded I got redirected to the setup screen similar to what would happen if I'd just reinstalled Windows. I was asked about whether I wanted Windows to remember my activities, and was then offered the chance to link my phone and PC. However, a number was prefilled in the input box, but it isn't a number I recognise. It starts +44 81... which I think isn't from a particular UK area it's a business type of number.


The information on the setup screen says that "We have pre-filled your phone number from your records". But I'm sure I wouldn't have supplied that number. It also says "We'll also save your phone number so you won't have to type it again next time. You can go to account.microsoft.com to manage your info". I've been to https://account.microsoft.com/profile/contact-info but I don't have any phone numbers stored on my account I do have my real mobile number as part of the security alerts.


I can't understand where this +4481 number could have come from, and I'm a bit concerned about where it might be stored on my account. I'm also a bit confused why the setup process happened after a normal reboot. I've done a full virus scan and malware scan, but there was nothing found.


Does any of this sound suspicious?


Thanks,


Jonny

:)

 

How can I disable the "Link your Phone and PC" notification in Windows 10?

The new "Continue on PC" feature that came with the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update also includes a notification that pops up saying "Link your Phone and PC". Answering no or clearing the notification gets rid of it, but after some amount of time and/or a reboot, it continuously comes back.

Presumably, if you actually install the app to link your phone it will stop giving you the notification, and I am also aware that you can completely disable suggestion notifications; however, I do not wish to use the phone link feature and I would prefer not to disable all future suggestions, as I could possibly be interested in one of them. Is there a way to specifically disable a single specific suggestion notification?

 

Microsoft account and phone number linked

Microsoft account password recovery requires two verification codes being sent using two different verification methods. Each Microsoft account has at least two verification methods, the phone number and additional email address which are asked and required when you set up a new Microsoft account with a new hotmail.com or outlook.com email or using a third party email.

When the thief who got your phone tries to recover your password, all your verification methods / security info phone numbers and email addresses will be listed for him to select one. OK, the thief naturally selects your phone number, gets the code sent as a text message, and enters it.

But, clicking Next after entering the code he needs to select another security info contact (phone / email) from the list to receive second verification code.

Password recovery is not possible with just your phone, the system is clever enough to make it impossible by requiring two codes being sent to two different phones and / or emails.

You can add as many phone numbers and email address as you wish as security info contacts at https://account.live.com/proofs/mana...&refp=security. I wholeheartedly recommend that you add at least another security email address; if you only have one phone number and one email added, those which were required when you set up the Microsoft account, and that thief got your phone, the recovery would be as impossible to you as it is to him, you both having access to just one of required two verification methods.

 

Facebook is using your 2FA phone number to target you with ads

Read more:

• Facebook sinks to new low by using phone number provided for 2FA to target users with ads - Neowin
• Yes Facebook is using your 2FA phone number to target you with ads TechCrunch