Multiple unsuccessful Automatic Sync attempts from various locations

Question

I recently checked my recent sign-in activity and there have been multiple attempts from various countries/locations I am not in to do an Automatic Sync using IMAP. This has been going on for the past month it seems, but I have had no notification of it happening.

Having read into the issue in various places, it seems that it's because my email and possibly old passwords were part of a data breach (using 'haveibeenpwned') and they're trying to brute force their way into my account.

The attempts are occurring with some hours or a couple of days within eachother, and although they're unsuccessful it's still quite distressing to see. Is there a way to put an end to this, or should I start migrating all of my accounts to use an alternative email?

Answer 1

Greetings,

My name is Rhaine, I'm Independent Community Volunteer. I’m so glad assisting you today.

I am also using Microsoft account user. I can feel the urgency in securing your account.

If you are seeing multiple attempts in different location using your Microsoft account it mean someone else is trying to access your account.

Honestly, there's no way to prevent this kind of issue if someone else is trying to access your account, if they know your email address they can try to access anytime.

What you can do is to secure your account to make sure they cannot get in.

Here are the following steps you need to do to secure your account.

You need to change the password.

How to change your Microsoft password

1. Sign in to your Microsoft account using your current password. If you forgot your password, either select Forgot my password and follow the steps. Or, for deeper account sign-in issues, see How to reset your Microsoft account password.
2. Once you've signed in, select Security.
3. Select Password security.
4. Type your current password, then type a new password and type it again to verify.
5. Select Save.

To check the sign activity

https://account.microsoft.com/security/

Remove the devices connected to the account

https://account.microsoft.com/devices/

Turn on the two -steps verification of your account so that they cannot get in to your account without your knowledge, you will get notified when someone else trying to access it.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-ph/help/12408/...

5 Ways to secure your Microsoft account

https://www.microsoft.com/security/blog/2014/05...

Avoid providing any of your personal details online specially from website or unsolicited emails.

If you want to get rid of this completely you can create a fresh account.

I hope the information above helps. Have a nice day ahead and be safe.

Please let me know if you have further questions I'll be more than happy to help.

Have a wonderful day ahead and stay safe.

With Warm Regards

Rhaine C.