Avoid losing your email account via fake "Network Solutions" phishing emails
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is "Network Solutions" email scam?
"Network Solutions email scam" refers to a phishing spam campaign. The spam emails are disguised as storage-related notifications from Network Solutions - a legitimate technology company that is a subsidiary of Web.com, one of the largest .com domain name registrars. It must be emphasized that these emails are in no way associated with the genuine Network Solutions company.
This spam mail aims to trick recipients into exposing their email account log-in credentials through a phishing website, presented as their email provider's sign-in page.
"Network Solutions" email scam in detail
The fake "Network Solutions" emails state that recipients' mailboxes are close to full capacity. If the storage limit is exceeded - receiving, sending, and storing emails will no longer be possible. Therefore, the scam messages urge recipients to add more storage space by clicking the link listed in them.
This link redirects to a phishing site that mimics the recipients' email accounts' sign-in pages (e.g., the spam letter sent to a Bing email address will promote a site looking like Bing's sign-in webpage). Email passwords entered into this website will be made available to the scammers, thereby allowing them to steal the corresponding accounts.
Emails are targeted due to typically being connected to (e.g., used to register) other accounts, platforms, services, etc. Hence, through stolen emails, access/control might be gained over the content associated with them.
The goal of all scams is to generate revenue. For example, communication accounts (e.g., emails, messengers, social media, etc.) can be used to promote various scams or proliferate malware (by sharing malicious files/links). Alternatively, scammers can steal the platform owner's identity and ask their contacts/friends for loans.
Finance-related accounts (e.g., online banking and money transferring, e-commerce, etc.) can be used to make fraudulent transactions and online purchases.
To summarize, by trusting the "Network Solutions" scam emails, users can experience severe privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft. Therefore, it is crucial to immediately change the passwords of all potentially compromised accounts and contact their official support.
| Name | Network Solutions email scam |
| Threat Type | Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud |
| Fake Claim | Scam emails claim that the recipient's mailbox is close to being at full storage capacity. |
| Disguise | Scam emails are disguised as letters from Network Solutions. |
| Symptoms | Unauthorized online purchases, changed online account passwords, identity theft, illegal access of the computer. |
| Distribution methods | Deceptive emails, rogue online pop-up ads, search engine poisoning techniques, misspelled domains. |
| Damage | Loss of sensitive private information, monetary loss, identity theft. |
| Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
Spam campaigns in general
"Email Removal Notice", "Sparkasse email scam", "Covid-19 stimulus payment", "Office 365 email scam", and "New mail server system 4.0" are some examples of phishing spam campaigns.
Emails of this type are used for various scams, not just for phishing. Likewise, the letters use varied disguises and scam models to trick recipients. Furthermore, spam emails are also employed to spread malware (e.g., ransomware, trojans, cryptominers, etc.). Due to how widespread spam mail is, it is advised to exercise caution with incoming emails and messages.
How do spam campaigns infect computers?
Systems are infected via infectious files distributed through spam campaigns. The files can be attached to and/or linked inside them. Virulent files can be Microsoft Office and PDF documents, archives, executables, JavaScript, etc. When they are opened - the infection process is jumpstarted.
For example, Microsoft Office documents cause infections by executing malicious macro commands. This process occurs when a document is opened in Microsoft Office versions released prior to 2010.
Newer versions have "Protected View" mode that prevents this from being triggered; instead, users can manually enable macros (i.e., editing/content). It is noteworthy that infectious documents often contain deceptive messages intended to push users into enabling macro commands.
How to avoid installation of malware?
Suspicious and irrelevant emails should not be opened, especially any attachments or links found in them - as they can cause infections upon being opened. It is advised to use Microsoft Office versions released after 2010.
Aside from spam mail, malware is also proliferated via dubious download channels (e.g., unofficial and freeware sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.), illegal activation tools ("cracks"), and fake updates. Hence, it is important to download from official/verified sources and activate/update programs with tools provided by genuine developers.
It is paramount to have a dependable anti-virus/anti-spyware installed and kept updated. This software has to be used to run regular system scans and to remove threats. If you've already opened malicious attachments, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate infiltrated malware.
Text presented in the "Network Solutions" scam email letter:
Subject: NOTICE: Limited email storage remaining for ******** [-Now-]]
NetworkSolutions
-
1-888-793-7657
Mailbox Almost Full
Dear Customer,
This message is to inform you that your mailbox is 95% full and has almost reached your storage limit.
Exceeding your storage limit will prevent you from sending, receiving and storing emails.
10/13/2021 3:41:38 a.m.:
CLICK TO ADD STORAGRE HEREE
Scorecard Login!
Connect With Us
Please do not reply to this email. Replying to this email will not secure your services. Please review our Privacy Notice for any questions related thereto and please see our Services Agreement for the terms and conditions governing Network Solutions products and services.
©2021 by ******** Network Solutions, LLC. All rights reserved. 12808 Gran Bay Parkway, West | Jacksonville, FL 32258
Network Solutions is a Web.com Group, Inc. company.
Screenshot of this phishing website promoted by the "Network Solutions" spam campaign:
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Quick menu:
- What is Network Solutions spam?
- Types of malicious emails.
- How to spot a malicious email?
- What to do if you fell for an email scam?
Types of malicious emails:
Phishing Emails
Most commonly, cybercriminals use deceptive emails to trick Internet users into giving away their sensitive private information, for example, login information for various online services, email accounts, or online banking information.
Such attacks are called phishing. In a phishing attack, cybercriminals usually send an email message with some popular service logo (for example, Microsoft, DHL, Amazon, Netflix), create urgency (wrong shipping address, expired password, etc.), and place a link which they hope their potential victims will click on.
After clicking the link presented in such email message, victims are redirected to a fake website that looks identical or extremely similar to the original one. Victims are then asked to enter their password, credit card details, or some other information that gets stolen by cybercriminals.
Emails with Malicious Attachments
Another popular attack vector is email spam with malicious attachments that infect users' computers with malware. Malicious attachments usually carry trojans that are capable of stealing passwords, banking information, and other sensitive information.
In such attacks, cybercriminals' main goal is to trick their potential victims into opening an infected email attachment. To achieve this goal, email messages usually talk about recently received invoices, faxes, or voice messages.
If a potential victim falls for the lure and opens the attachment, their computers get infected, and cybercriminals can collect a lot of sensitive information.
While it's a more complicated method to steal personal information (spam filters and antivirus programs usually detect such attempts), if successful, cybercriminals can get a much wider array of data and can collect information for a long period of time.
Sextortion Emails
This is a type of phishing. In this case, users receive an email claiming that a cybercriminal could access the webcam of the potential victim and has a video recording of one's masturbation.
To get rid of the video, victims are asked to pay a ransom (usually using Bitcoin or another cryptocurrency). Nevertheless, all of these claims are false - users who receive such emails should ignore and delete them.
How to spot a malicious email?
While cyber criminals try to make their lure emails look trustworthy, here are some things that you should look for when trying to spot a phishing email:
- Check the sender's ("from") email address: Hover your mouse over the "from" address and check if it's legitimate. For example, if you received an email from Microsoft, be sure to check if the email address is @microsoft.com and not something suspicious like @m1crosoft.com, @microsfot.com, @account-security-noreply.com, etc.
- Check for generic greetings: If the greeting in the email is "Dear user", "Dear @youremail.com", "Dear valued customer", this should raise suspiciousness. Most commonly, companies call you by your name. Lack of this information could signal a phishing attempt.
- Check the links in the email: Hover your mouse over the link presented in the email, if the link that appears seems suspicious, don't click it. For example, if you received an email from Microsoft and the link in the email shows that it will go to firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0... you shouldn't trust it. It's best not to click any links in the emails but to visit the company website that sent you the email in the first place.
- Don't blindly trust email attachments: Most commonly, legitimate companies will ask you to log in to their website and to view any documents there; if you received an email with an attachment, it's a good idea to scan it with an antivirus application. Infected email attachments are a common attack vector used by cybercriminals.
To minimise the risk of opening phishing and malicious emails we recommend using Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows.
Example of a spam email:
What to do if you fell for an email scam?
- If you clicked on a link in a phishing email and entered your password - be sure to change your password as soon as possible. Usually, cybercriminals collect stolen credentials and then sell them to other groups that use them for malicious purposes. If you change your password in a timely manner, there's a chance that criminals won't have enough time to do any damage.
- If you entered your credit card information - contact your bank as soon as possible and explain the situation. There's a good chance that you will need to cancel your compromised credit card and get a new one.
- If you see any signs of identity theft - you should immediately contact the Federal Trade Commission. This institution will collect information about your situation and create a personal recovery plan.
- If you opened a malicious attachment - your computer is probably infected, you should scan it with a reputable antivirus application. For this purpose, we recommend using Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows.
- Help other Internet users - report phishing emails to Anti-Phishing Working Group, FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, National Fraud Information Center and U.S. Department of Justice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why did I receive this email?
Spam emails are sent by the thousand in large-scale operations. These letters are not personal.
I have provided my personal information when tricked by this spam email, what should I do?
If you've disclosed account credentials - change the passwords of all potentially exposed accounts and contact their support without delay. However, if you've provided other personal data (e.g., credit card numbers, ID card details, etc.) - immediately contact the relevant authorities.
I have read a spam email but didn't open the attachment, is my computer infected?
Reading a spam email will not infect your system; opening attachments or clicking the links found in them - is what triggers infection processes.
I have downloaded and opened a file attached to a spam email, is my computer infected?
Whether your system was infected - depends on the opened file's format. Executable files almost always initiate malware download/installation - when they are opened. However, document formats (e.g., .doc, .pdf, etc.) may require additional actions (e.g., macro command execution, etc.) to jumpstart infection processes.
Will Combo Cleaner remove malware infections present in email attachments?
Yes, Combo Cleaner can detect and eliminate practically all known malware infections. However, it is crucial to perform a full system scan - as sophisticated malicious software typically hides deep within the system.
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