I just received an email today from Microsoft supposedly, that was for a "Critical Update" for Outlook and Outlook Express. The email referenced a knowledgebase article KB910721. Now at first glance I already had my suspicion about the legitimacy of it because of how it came and looked plus all my systems are patched properly, however I could see how this could fool someone into thinking it was real. It used a email address that appeared to be from Microsoft. It referenced a real KB article from Microsoft. It had a link that looked to go to a Microsoft site. It even talked about products that Microsoft sells, Outlook and Outlook Express. However it really was not from Microsoft at all.
A couple of things that I did that helped me determine that it was fake was, one I looked up the KB article on Microsoft’s site. Even though it was a real KB article and talked about email, it had nothing to do with Outlook or Outlook Express. In addition the date of the KB was not the same at all. I also tested the link in a browser and it went nowhere. Note I did not click on the link in the message as this could have executed a program and infected my system. I simply copied the link into a browser. I also checked Microsoft’s web site for any updates released today, which none were found of course. One thing to keep in mind is that Microsoft will always post an update on their web site before they ever email something to someone. This particular one has been going around.
I have posted a copy of the email here for you to see. Be on the lookout for this type of email as they can lead to your system getting infected with a virus and or the compromise of your data. If you’re ever are not sure about an email you received, ask someone that could help you.
A couple of things that I did that helped me determine that it was fake was, one I looked up the KB article on Microsoft’s site. Even though it was a real KB article and talked about email, it had nothing to do with Outlook or Outlook Express. In addition the date of the KB was not the same at all. I also tested the link in a browser and it went nowhere. Note I did not click on the link in the message as this could have executed a program and infected my system. I simply copied the link into a browser. I also checked Microsoft’s web site for any updates released today, which none were found of course. One thing to keep in mind is that Microsoft will always post an update on their web site before they ever email something to someone. This particular one has been going around.
I have posted a copy of the email here for you to see. Be on the lookout for this type of email as they can lead to your system getting infected with a virus and or the compromise of your data. If you’re ever are not sure about an email you received, ask someone that could help you.
