What To Do if There's an Unusual Sign in Activity on Your Microsoft Account

Similar to other large companies, Microsoft prioritizes your account security and protection from unauthorized access by individuals with harmful intentions.

If Microsoft detects an unusual login attempt, it marks it as suspicious. You will receive an email notification about the login attempt, along with a text message alert.

This dual notification system adds an extra layer of security. Even if someone knows your password, they cannot fully control your account without further verification.

Reasons for Receiving an Unusual Sign-In Activity Email

Microsoft sends emails regarding your sign-in activities for various reasons. It's crucial to examine these notifications to ensure they're not indicative of a real threat.

Common reasons for receiving an unusual sign-in activity email include:

• Accessing your account from a new device for the first time.
• Logging in from a different location, especially away from your usual area.
• Signing in from a foreign country.
• Using an unknown IP address to log in.
• Granting an application access to your Microsoft account.

How Microsoft Safeguards Your Account

Microsoft employs two primary security measures to shield your account from hackers, account thieves, online scammers, and others with malicious intentions.

Security Code

When you attempt to log in from an unusual device or location, Microsoft may display a message about suspicious sign-in activity.

This feature prevents hackers and scammers from gaining full access to your account, even with the correct password. You will need to enter a security code, which can be sent to an alternative contact method like a secondary email or phone number.

Notifications

Upon detecting suspicious login attempts, Microsoft will send notifications to all your registered alternate contact methods, including emails and text messages.

Always verify the sender when receiving emails from Microsoft about login attempts. Be wary of phishing attempts, where scammers send fake emails to trick you into giving them access to your account.

The only legitimate email address from which Microsoft will contact you regarding account security is account-security-noreply@accountprotection.microsoft.com.

Logging into Your Microsoft Account from a New Device or Location

Microsoft may flag even your harmless login attempts from new devices or unfamiliar locations as a precautionary measure to enhance security.

If you're trying to access your account from a new device or location, follow these steps:

Verify Your Identity with a Security Code

If your login attempt is blocked, choose to receive a security code via a secondary email or phone number linked to your account to unlock it.

Access a Trusted Device

If you can't get a security code, use a trusted device that you've previously logged into your account with. You can manually add trusted devices through the Security settings page.

If you're traveling and left a trusted device at home, ask someone you trust to access it, retrieve the security code, and send it to you.

Dealing with a Suspicious Login Message

If you receive an alert about suspicious login activity but can't recall any recent unusual activity, immediately secure your account by following these steps:

1. Go to the Security basics page.

2. Click on the Review activity button.

3. Sign into your Microsoft account. If your password doesn't work, refer to the next section for possible reasons.

4. Verify your identity using a security code sent to your chosen method, either email or text message.

5. Check your inbox or text messages for the code, ensuring the sender is legitimate. Only click on links from account-security-noreply@accountprotection.microsoft.com.

6. Enter the security code to complete the verification process.

7. Review the list of recent sign-ins, noting the time, IP address, web browser, device type, and approximate location.

8. If you spot any suspicious activity, click on the Secure your account link to address it.

Enhancing Account Security

If you identify a login that wasn't made by you, immediately strengthen your account's security by changing your password to a more complex one.

To change your Microsoft account password:

1. Visit the Security basics page.

2. Select Change password.

3. Enter your current password and then set a new one. A strong password should be at least 12 characters long and include a mix of lowercase and uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Ensure it's unique and not used on other accounts.

4. Consider enabling automatic password change prompts every 72 days to keep your password fresh and less predictable.

Regaining Account Access

If your password doesn't work, it might have been changed by someone else. To regain access:

1. Follow the steps on the Microsoft account recovery page to reset your password.
2. If you can't reset your password, try signing in again and:
   1. Click on Forgot my password.
   2. Choose I think someone else is using my Microsoft account.
   3. Follow the on-screen instructions to recover your account.

We hope this guide helps you understand why you receive notifications about unusual sign-in attempts and how to handle them effectively.

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