Share via

Attn: Microsoft Account Security Team

Anonymous
2016-12-29T14:17:01+00:00

Please explain if you can to my satisfaction just exactly what is "Automatic sync" from Thailand doing, and why I subsequently had an unauthorized, unsuccessful attempt to access my Microsoft Account also from Thailand address 101.108.87.58?

Your claim that my security is protected.  Now prove it

Outlook | Web | Outlook.com | Account management, security, and privacy

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

Answer accepted by question author

Anonymous
2017-01-01T14:48:14+00:00

MORE INFORMATION

When viewing your Recent Activity page, the link at the top of the page, called "Learn more about the recent activity page", redirects to "What is the recent activity page?"  There you will find details regarding specifics "about when and where you've used your Microsoft account within the last 30 days".  Primary to this particular thread about Automatic sync is the section: "What are the different session types?"

At no time does that section mention "Automatic sync".  The closest reference would be found under Email protocols, in which the following is presented (see image).  Exchange ActiveSync and Internet Message Active Protocol (IMAP) imply to me that IP addresses from Thailand, Indonesia, China, Brazil, and similar disreputable countries are using the ability of "apps and services which manage emails" to sign you in automatically.  

This is a serious weakness in internet security.  A possible, short-term protection may be to: uncheck all references to "remember me" or "keep me logged in" and to make certain that your Temporary Internet File folder is emptied each time you close your browser.

Was this answer helpful?

0 comments

5 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2016-12-29T15:11:41+00:00

    JustHelp ~

    Yes, but it goes much deeper than this.  The problem centers around "Automatic sync".  The explanation provided by the popup implies that someone has the ability to automatically sync via some device to my email log in and attempts to continue.  Obviously the moment I noticed that, I noticed also that Microsoft Security not only does not show that log-attempt as successful or unsuccessful and provides no information about whether or not my account is secure.

    The suggestions you make were made by me immediately upon notice of the activity.  I currently have little faith in Microsoft Account Security, and would like a very detailed explanation about how and why "automatic syncing" takes place on a device thousands of miles from my actual location.  I have never been outside the United States; nor has any electronic device  in my possession.

    TO

    Was this answer helpful?

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2017-04-03T01:11:07+00:00

    Thanks, Toby, for posting something from the help section that might clear this up.

    Question to you & hopefully an official Microsoft person:

    Like yourself, I also have a documented "Automatic sync" over IMAP from a foreign country (Italy) which I definitely did not authorize. Since noticing this, a week later, I've changed my password -- and So, it sounds like from that page you found, (and here's the bottom line question) if I've changed my password since this auto sync, this hacker in Italy cannot obtain any more data from my email?

    Although...question part 2: does this mean the hacker does, however, have all my information synced to his own device and for his manipulation up until the day that I changed my password?

    If you or the MICROSOFT PERSON can advise: should delete my account and start a new email account? There are things which might be considered sensitive in my email account.

    Or does it not matter, since he already synced all my info and hes already got it, so I might as well not deal with the inconvenience of switching over my email?

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2016-12-29T14:42:24+00:00

    Someone probably figured out your login credentials.

    I'd recommend doing a malware check of all your systems. I'd also recommend immediately changing your password to a long complex password.

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2016-12-29T15:35:09+00:00

    Microsoft employees rarely, if ever, actually come here so you are unlikely to get an explanation from them.

    All us fellow users can do is make a suggestion as we are unlikely to know the backend workings of Outlook.com.

    Good luck!

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments