Different IP address and location shown for log-in

Question

During my daily (evening) ritual of blocking/reporting the many scam/junk emails I receive daily, I was suddenly locked out of my outlook account. I immediately exited outlook and turned my laptop off. Today, I was still blocked but managed to sign-in. However, checking my recent activity shows me located in London (I'm not) with a different IP address. I have changed my password but am still concerned that I may need to do something else. Microsoft's own 'tool' to check my account tells me there are no issues, but then I'm unable to tell it that my location and IP address are both wrong.

Any assistance greatly received!

Answer 1

Hello

Do they show failed attempts or successful for those locations/IPs that are not yours? If failed attempts, then no issue, meaning security measurement is effective, but if they are successful, that is a problem.

Besides changing your password, in your account online, also go to Security > Manage how you sign in, please make sure 2 steps verification is enabled, and all contact info listed is yours and up to date.

Then also in Security, click on Sign out everywhere. This is meant to kill any session that's still connected. Unfortunately, this one will take 24 hours to take effect.

Then go to Devices, make sure all devices are yours. Delete anything you don't recognize.

Next, go to Your info > Sign in preference, also make sure all alias set up here are yours.

Answer 2

It sounds like your Outlook account may have been compromised, especially since you are seeing log-in activity from a different location and IP address. Here are some steps you can take to secure your account:

1. Change Your Password Again: Since you've already changed your password, consider changing it once more to ensure that any potential unauthorized access is blocked.
2. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): If you haven't already, enable MFA for your account. This adds an additional layer of security by requiring a second form of verification when logging in.
3. Review Account Activity: Check your account activity for any suspicious actions, such as emails sent that you did not authorize or changes to your account settings.
4. Check Inbox Rules: Look for any suspicious inbox rules that may have been created to forward your emails or manipulate your inbox. This can be done through the Outlook settings.
5. Secure Your Devices: Ensure that your devices are secure and free from malware. Run a full antivirus scan to check for any potential threats.
6. Contact Microsoft Support: If you continue to see issues or if the problem persists, consider reaching out to Microsoft Support for further assistance. They may be able to provide more specific guidance based on your account's activity.
7. Monitor for Future Issues: Keep an eye on your account for any further unusual activity. If you notice anything suspicious, take action immediately.

By following these steps, you can help secure your account and mitigate the risk of further issues.

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References:

• Common symptoms of a compromised Microsoft 365 email account
• Recommended actions