How to spot fraudulent emails like "Microsoft Anti-Xploit Guard Released A Security Update"

What is the fake "Microsoft Anti-Xploit Guard Released A Security Update"?

We have reviewed the email and determined that it is a scam disguised as a "Microsoft security update". It contains deceptive links (disguised as options) leading to malicious downloads. Recipients should ignore this fraudulent message to avoid computer infections and further issues.

More about the "Microsoft Anti-Xploit Guard Released A Security Update" scam email

The email is presented as a security alert from Microsoft. It urges the recipient to install a critical update for "Microsoft Anti-Xploit Guard". The message claims that the update is necessary to protect the device from the latest threats and provides fake details, such as update size, estimated installation time, and a security patch number.

The message includes a "Update now" link and a manual download option for a file named "Microsoft_Anti-Xploit_Update.exe". It warns that the update will install automatically in 3 days if not applied manually. None of the claims in this fraudulent email are true, and clicking the provided links downloads a malicious file.

The downloaded file may contain malware that can function as a Remote Access Trojan, cryptocurrency miner, information stealer, ransomware, or other malicious software. A Remote Access Trojan lets attackers control a device remotely and perform malicious tasks.

A cryptocurrency miner secretly uses the device to generate digital coins. An information stealer captures personal data like passwords or financial info. Ransomware locks files and demands payment for access. Thus, it is important to recognize fraudulent emails to avoid computer infections.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this email is designed to trick recipients into downloading malware. It uses urgent language to appear legitimate, but all claims about security updates are false. Interacting with the links or files can compromise personal data, enable remote access, or cause financial and system damage.

Examples of other scam emails are "Your Mailbox Needs Attention Email Scam", "You Are Not Permitted To Send Messages Email Scam", and "Mail Services Notification - Delivery Delay Notice Email Scam".

How do spam campaigns infect computers?

Cybercriminals frequently send fraudulent emails to spread malware via attachments or links. Attachments can include infected documents (such as Word, Excel, and PDF files), executables, scripts, and compressed files. Opening these files or following instructions can plant malware on the device.

Links may direct users to unsafe or hacked websites that attempt to download malware automatically or persuade users to run it. Typically, the device is only infected if the user engages with the malicious content.

How to avoid installation of malware?

Suspicious emails or messages from unfamiliar senders should be treated with caution, and users should avoid clicking on links or opening attachments in such messages. Suspicious websites' ads, pop-ups, buttons, and links should be ignored, and any requests to allow notifications should be declined.

Software should only be downloaded from official websites or reputable app stores, while pirated programs, cracks, and key generators must be avoided. Also, it is advisable to keep the operating system and applications up to date and run regular scans using trusted security software.

Appearance of the scam email (GIF):

Text presented in the "Microsoft Anti-Xploit Guard Released A Security Update" email letter:

Subject: Microsoft security update

Important security update required

Update your security software to protect your device

Microsoft Anti-Xploit Guard has released a critical security update. Install this update to keep your device protected from the latest threats.

Update: Anti-Xploit Guard Security Update KB5021234

Size: 67.5 MB

Time required: About 5 minutes

This update includes important security improvements to protect against new exploits and vulnerabilities.
Update now

Manual download option:
Download update file manually

File: Microsoft_Anti-Xploit_Update.exe (Security Patch KB5021234)

Microsoft Corporation

This update will install automatically in 3 days if not installed manually.

Instant automatic malware removal:

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Quick menu:

• What is Microsoft Anti-Xploit Guard Released A Security Update fake email?
• 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?

Such emails are typically generic, as they are sent to many people at once, with addresses often gathered from leaks, dubious sites, or other methods.

I have provided my personal information when tricked by a scam email, what should I do?

If an account might be compromised, users should change the password immediately and report any theft of sensitive data, such as credit card or ID information, to the relevant authorities.

I have downloaded and opened a malicious file attached to an email, is my computer infected?

The likelihood of malware infiltration depends on the file type and user behavior. Executable files or scripts can infect a system as soon as they are opened, while documents and other files are generally safe unless the user enables features like macros or performs other steps.

I have read the email but did not open the attachment, is my computer infected?

A device is typically infected only if the user clicks a link, opens an attachment, or interacts with malicious content. Opening emails without taking additional steps is not dangerous.

Will Combo Cleaner remove malware infections that were present in email attachment?

Combo Cleaner can identify and remove most threats, but advanced or deeply embedded malware may need a full system scan to be completely eliminated.