Hi everyone, please advise:

[Paper Roses]

I have received a notice on my Hotmail account that I I must install---or update something by the 16th of this month. It seems to be some kind of a security update that indicated that I will lose access to 3rd party emails and calendar.
Blah-blah. it goes on and on.

Is this a scam or something I must do?
I am an idiot computer user and worry about scams and about my lack of knowledge.
I have already had to have my computer guru work on this old computer last month when I received a full page of some junk that I could not delete. It covered my whole page. Can't remember what it was about. .

Since I cannot bring the computer to the shop because of certain disabilities, I wonder if this is real before I call them about advice $$ is an issue for me.
Is this something I need to do? If you are a Hotmail user and got this message, is it real or should I delete it?
I also got a message that I requested to change my Facebook password. I did not request it.
I envy those of you who know how to understand all this stuff.
At 82 years old, this stuff is beyond me and I don't know where to find answers. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

[FarPoint]

1. I would think it is a scam/ phishing attempt.

I would not respond...Others here could tell you what else to do....

Was everything working fine before the email? Is it working fine still? Some assessment thoughts...


If it ain't broke, don't fix it thinking for me.

[liberalmuse]

2. It's a scam.

This is not the way Microsoft does things. You will call next and thing you know the “rep” will want to screen share, tell you there’s an issue with your computer and they’ll want more money. They also have you log into your bank while claiming they can’t see the password because it appears hidden, but they will gain access to your account. Any time you get a pop up for a security update while in a browser, it is a scam. I know someone who lost their life savings with this scam.

[TwilightZone]

6. It's not a scam.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/109535008#post5

Microsoft is changing the way logins work, and some e-mail programs will no longer be compatible.

I think you're confusing this legitimate change with the ubiquitous fake support messages that are indeed malware.

[usonian]

3. The biggest problem for computer junkies here is that there is little detail to work with.

I know that it can be daunting for average folks to describe problems, but remote problem solving is like that.

And heaven help you if someone asks you to install some remote access ( screen sharing) software to diagnose your problem. The road to hell is paved with such things.

--- update ---

I saw Nittersing's reply and it references a Microsoft page.
https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/outlook/update-your-sign-in-technology-before-september-16th-2024-to/m-p/4181311

This looks legit, though the solution is incomprehensible to the average user and may require your expert to deal with. It seems that both security and Microsoft's need to extract more money may be in play.

I'd ask my brother, who uses hotmail, but he's recovering from heart surgery, and has enough to deal with already.


Good luck.

[Wonder Why]

4. Who is it from? If you ever get that kind of email, DO NO CLICK ON LINK.

Instead, go to the website by typing in their known webpage or from your saved bookmark for the site or call them. See what the website says. There should be a notice on the main page that tells you why and when an update is required. If not, delete the email.

[Nittersing]

5. I went to the Microsoft website and found this page

https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/outlook/update-your-sign-in-technology-before-september-16th-2024-to/m-p/4181311

I don't know about any of this, but it seems to be legit. Maybe others can check the link and see if they agree.

[Voltaire2]

7. Hotmail is actually outlook now, and yes you need

to enable two factor authentication. The instructions are fairly clear.

Here: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/2-step-authentication-f4ac126a-f6eb-464e-abdc-ec956e279e10#:~:text=Go%20to%20Options%20%3E%20Account%20details,Set%20up%20two%2Dstep%20verification.

The op also asked about a Facebook notification of an attempt to reset or change the password. This usually can be ignored. However if you are concerned, change your Facebook password and make sure to use a strong new password. You can also enable two factor authentication for Facebook.

[sdfernando]

8. One of the 1st things I would do is to check the email header

to see the actual email address it was sent from. 99.99999999999% of the time it’s NOT from the company they are claiming to be. The email you received should be from “@microsoft.com”. Anything other than that is a scam and you should not click on any links, just delete it.

[canetoad]

9. Hey Paper Roses

Can you copy the text of the notification, and post it here so we can read it?

That would help enormously.

[Paper Roses]

10. Copy of email (hotmail-Outlook.) This is the best I could do. I hope someone can read this. Thanks

The safety and security of your information is top priority for Microsoft. To help keep your account secure, Microsoft will no longer support the use of third-party email and calendar apps which ask you to sign in with only your Microsoft Account username and password. To keep you safe you will need to use a mail or calendar app which supports Microsoft’s modern authentication methods. If you do not act, your third-party email apps will no longer be able to access your Outlook.com, Hotmail or Live.com email address on September 16th.


What do you need to do?

If you are receiving this email, you are currently using an email or calendar app that uses a less secure authentication method to connect to your Outlook.com email account. You will need to upgrade your third-party mail and calendar app to a version which supports modern authentication methods.

Microsoft provides free versions of Outlook for your PC, Mac, iOS, and Android devices which can be easily downloaded and connect to your email account. Using an updated version of an Outlook application will ensure you are connecting in the most secure way.

How can you set up your Gmail, Apple Mail, or other third-party mail application?

Various non-Microsoft applications will have their own steps for connecting to your Outlook.com email account using modern authentication methods. See our help article - Modern Authentication Methods now needed to continue syncing Outlook Email in non-Microsoft email apps. However, you may need to contact the creators of those applications to provide you with instructions. In many cases, simply removing and re-adding your account with the latest version of that application will configure it to use modern authentication methods.

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[canetoad]

11. Thanks for that

A quick search shows that this is indeed true and the email is not a scam.

I don't use hotmail or outlook, so can only go on what I read online. They are updating security so you will no longer be able to check an Outlook or Hotmail account by usinging only your username and password.

Since you are already this far down the rabbit hole, I think the most simple way to fix this is do what it says on this page.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/account-billing/sign-in-using-microsoft-authenticator-582bdc07-4566-4c97-a7aa-56058122714c

Sign in using Microsoft Authenticator

Note: Before you can use Authenticator as a way to sign in, you need to download the app and have already added Authenticator to your account.

I can't be much more help than this, but if you go to the microsoft support page, follow the two links above, which are near the top, it should be your solution.

Good luck with all this, I understand how confusing and difficult it must be for you, but rest assured, it's not a scam and someone local may be able to assist you further.