cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/12063839

Someone keeps trying to access my MS account

Like the title says, I’ve got yesterday an email with a code to access my Microsoft account and that made me suspicious because I wasn’t trying to login to my account. When I looked at the login attempts I saw that someone else was trying to access my account, I changed my password, activated TFA. Thinking of going through and buying a physical key like yubico to further secure my account. Any tips are appreciated.

  • dosse91@lemmy.trippy.pizza
    1·
    9 months ago

    If you have 2FA enabled they won’t be able to get in, but if you change your password and they’re still trying, that means that somehow they have your new password, which means you probably have a credential stealer in your PC or one of your devices. I would reinstall windows immediately then change EVERY password.

      • towerful@programming.dev
        0·
        9 months ago

        Im glad they called, too. These log in attempts started around the same time. If i wasnt connected to their secure server with my pc regularly saying its updating, id be really worried that someone would try and log into my online banking!

        (/s if you dont get the references, watch some kitboga - or any of your preffered scam-baiters)

  • Arghblarg@lemmy.ca
    0·
    9 months ago

    It’s good to be paranoid, but for years I have had periodic sign-ups for lists I never wanted, services I never asked for, medical appointments and plane ticket reservations(!) I didn’t make … you name it.

    All because I was an early gmail invitee, so my account is just ‘[email protected]’ (with no ‘123’, or other decorations) – I was the FIRST. And I’ll be damned if I give it up!

    So, so many people with my first initial and surname forget to add whatever crap they added to their signup after they must have gotten the error message at sign-up that told them ‘sorry, but [email protected] is already taken’ and they then forget whatever they added, and keep using my email address when they register for whatever crap they do. So bloody annoying.

    I’ve taken to just logging into the numerous sites they helpfully send me registration links for, and if there’s a profile section I may (if I’m feeling cranky) set their profile photo and bio to unsavoury things, before locking the account. If I’m not feeling cranky I just unsubscribe/delete the account.

    • Socsa@sh.itjust.works
      0·
      9 months ago

      Same. There has been a man in Texas apparently using one of my early Gmail accounts for tons of important things for a decade at this point, to the extent that I know his name, address and phone number, and could definitely gain access to his cell phone and car insurance accounts if I wanted.

      I know he doesn’t have access to the account, and I see all of his e bills and password reset attempts every few months, so I’m not really sure what his problem is. I kind of assume it’s an elderly person who pays for things with checks and doesn’t notice that he can’t access any of his online accounts, and then occasionally the kids try to pay a bill for him and try to reset the account passwords but can’t.

      So if you are reading this, Mr Alvarez of Waco TX, don’t worry - I’ve got you covered and your greedy kids won’t add lines to your cell phone plan on my watch!

      • jrbaconcheese@yall.theatl.socialEnglish
        0·
        9 months ago

        I have the same, and also sometimes do the same, and no I never hear back. I’ve canceled orders, canceled flights, and other things like that.

  • m-p{3}@lemmy.ca
    0·
    9 months ago

    Kind of happens everywhere to be honest, the best defense is to have a good and unique password and MFA enabled.

  • MNLFNUT8YG@lemmy.world
    0·
    9 months ago

    I have this also all the time on my Microsoft account. All un-successful of course (long password and 2FA activated). So stopped looking at this.

  • fluckx@lemmy.world
    0·
    9 months ago

    I checked out my old Hotmail account and there’s somebody in china trying to access it non stop.

    It’s protected with a strong password and 2fa. But it still makes me uneasy. I just wish I could geo block the attempts or something.

  • sloppy_diffuser@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    0·
    9 months ago

    I’ve been getting in the habit of using per service emails and rotating them like my passwords (if the service allows). MS allows this (assuming the account is not for your email). I’ve changed it 5-6 times. Except for Skype which I don’t use. Can’t seem to change that one myself.

    Others mentioned YubiKey. Another alternative I use is both an OnlyPass and Mooltipass, interchangeably. They act as keyboards and work with any device I’ve tried that supports USB keyboards without some agent always running. With it I’ll add an extra 56 random characters on top of my memorized passphrase for critical systems (disk encryption, system login, password manager).

  • Deceptichum@kbin.social
    0·
    9 months ago

    I saw that this morning from 6AM to 1:30PM had people from IPs all over Europe trying to login. Failing luckily but I’m glad to see I’m not the only one

  • iamhangry@programming.dev
    0·
    9 months ago

    I have an account that has been having that same behaviour for years. I changed my password multiple times after and have 2fa. I was uneasy at the time but realized the best I could do is move on from those accounts as main accounts and just keep them locked tight.

  • cooopsspace@infosec.pubEnglish
    0·
    9 months ago

    Buy two ubikeys, one for you and one for your safe or lockbox.

    Also use a password manager and don’t reuse passwords.

      • cooopsspace@infosec.pubEnglish
        0·
        9 months ago

        Yes!

        In fact, I have an NFC one which id highly recommend and just scan my phone on it and log into my password manager.

        Two is one, one is none though. You need to set up both keys on each website or app. Then lock one away.