Breached website

Question

My website was accessed without my permission. It appears someone put something in my browser to gain access to my website. How can I find out what was added to my browser and the damage it might have caused?

Also, I called (8***196 and the phone hung up, I got a call back immediately from (6***37. The caller was adamant about checking my computer and checking my bank account. When I refused, he told me not to call them back. Is this one of your phone numbers (612)428-2837.

Thank you,

Answer 1

Hello，Mildred Butler

Thank you for posting in the Microsoft community.

I have learned that your personal website has been illegally accessed and there may be malware implanted. We understand that this situation can cause you anxiety and distress, so please remain calm for the time being and let me answer your questions.

1. How to find out what has been added to your browser and the damage it may cause

To check what has been added to your browser, first check your browser extensions and plugins by clicking on the “puzzle” icon on the right side of the URL bar of your Edge browser. These extensions can sometimes be added by mistake and may contain malicious code that can lead to unauthorized access. You can disable or remove any extensions from unknown sources by going to the Extension Management option in your browser settings. In addition, malicious code can lead to information leakage, additional ad pop-ups, browser slowdown, and even more serious security issues such as identity theft.

2. In order to avoid causing further damage, you can perform the following steps

• Clear Cache and Cookies: Clearing your browser cache and cookies can eliminate potentially malicious stored data. Click on “... > Settings > Privacy, Search & Services” in the upper right corner of Edge browser, in which you can see the option of “Delete browsing data”, clear it. Disclaimer: Your browser automatically saves temporary internet files to help pages load faster. Clearing this cache will sometimes fix website issues.Please back up all your personal files first, such as Favorites, to ensure you do not lose data.
• Run a full security scan: Scan your computer with a trusted anti-virus program, and it is recommended that you run a full scan with Windows Defender to ensure that no potential malware is affecting your device.
• Review and change your passwords: it's a good idea to check your passwords for important accounts using another device and the internet, especially information that relates to your website and bank, make sure you use strong passwords and update them regularly.
• Freshly install your system: Remove all malware and code with a clean reinstallation to ensure a pristine environment for use. Disclaimer: At this point, we have exhausted all troubleshooting and I recommend that we try to perform a clean install to get your computer back into a working condition. Please ensure that you backup any important data, including Documents, Pictures, Videos, and more.
• Consider reporting to the police: If it is determined that you have suffered an attack, report it to your local law enforcement authorities to avoid damage to your personal website, data information and finances so that the incident can be investigated and dealt with.

3. Phone number issue

Regarding the phone number you mentioned (612) 428-2837, this is not our official Microsoft Support phone number and you are advised to refrain from any further communication with it and remain vigilant to avoid disclosing personal information. For the current official Microsoft support number, please check the following link, which provides the support phone number for each country/region, you can check it according to your region:

Global Customer Service phone numbers - Microsoft Support

We hope the above can bring you some help, if you have any questions please feel free to contact us. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!

Best Regards，

Rota|Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Answer 2

Thank you for coming to my rescue.  Your info was very, very, very HELPFUL.  And, I did report it to the police. 

Again, thank you!

Mildred