C-93 Virus Warning Email a Phishing Scam; Beware Windows Outlook Message Going Around

C-93 Virus Warning Email a Phishing Scam; Beware Windows Outlook Message Going Around
A person uses an Apple MacBook laptop in his class in Palo Alto, Calif. New warnings are emerging of a security flaw known as the "Bash" bug, which cyber experts say may pose a serious threat to computers and other devices using Unix-based operating systems such as Linux and Mac OS X. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, File)
Jack Phillips
11/4/2014
Updated:
7/18/2015

Users have been receiving emails that purport to be from Windows Outlook saying their computer has a “C93 Virus” and need to run a scan.

Inside the email, there’s a link (which should not be clicked) to run a Norton anti-virus scan.

However, the link actually takes one to a bogus website that is intended to trick users into handing over their Microsoft Account login information.

Here’s what the email says:

“Dear Outlook Member,
A C93 Virus has been detected in your mailbox, You are required to apply the new Norton AV security anti-virus to scan and to remove all Trojan and viral bugs from your mailbox Account, Failure to apply the scan your mailbox will be De-Activated to avoid our database from being infected.

Click on Optimal Scan and Log in to apply the service.
Thank you,
Windows Outlook.”

According to Online Threat Alerts, “Once the cyber-criminals have gotten a hold of your username and password, they will hijack your email account and use it for malicious purposes.”

“Please note that Microsoft and other email providers will not never ask you to apply any form of security scan to remove a virus, Trojan horse or any other malicious programs. They will remove the threat for you without asking,” the site added.

If you believe that you might have shared your personal information in the phishing link, it’s best to change your Hotmail/Live/Outlook password right away.

Or, one can report it to Microsoft here.

Jack Phillips is a breaking news reporter with 15 years experience who started as a local New York City reporter. Having joined The Epoch Times' news team in 2009, Jack was born and raised near Modesto in California's Central Valley. Follow him on X: https://twitter.com/jackphillips5
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