How to identify scams like "HTTP Error 401 Invalid Security Token"

What is "HTTP Error 401 Invalid Security Token" scam?

We have inspected the email and determined that it is a phishing attempt disguised as an urgent notification from the email service provider. It contains a link to a fake website designed to steal personal information. The scammers behind this email seek to obtain details that would allow them to access personal accounts.

More about the "HTTP Error 401 Invalid Security Token" scam email

This scam email claims that sign-in authentication is required and displays a message about an "HTTP Error 401" and an invalid security token. It states that the problem occurred due to an expired or outdated email service for Outlook, OWA, or a webmail server.

The message instructs the recipient to resolve the issue by continuing to a provided URL and re-entering their account password. It claims that doing so will assign a new security token and automatically update expired services, allowing email access to continue without interruption.

In reality, the email is a phishing attempt designed to trick recipients into clicking the link (labeled "Continue") and entering their email password on a fraudulent website operated by fraudsters. The scammers can then use the stolen credentials to access the victim's email account.

Once an account is hijacked, it can be used to collect information, send scam emails, distribute malware, or engage in other malicious activities. Also, cybercriminals may try to use the stolen information to access other accounts, including social media or banking services. Thus, it is important to recognize and ignore scam emails.

Conclusion

The email is a phishing attempt designed to appear urgent and technical to trick recipients into revealing their credentials. Its main goal is to steal email passwords by directing users to a fake login page. Such messages should be ignored and deleted to avoid compromising personal information. Sometimes, they can be used to distribute malware.

More examples of similar scams are "iCloud - Updated Payment Method", "cPanel - Secure SSL / TLS Settings", and "Webmail Account Verification".

How do spam campaigns infect computers?

Malware can infiltrate via email when users click on malicious links or open infected attachments. These emails often include links that direct recipients to fake or compromised websites, which can automatically download malware or convince users to download and run it manually.

Attachments may also carry malware. Typically, cybercriminals use documents (Word, Excel, PDF), compressed files (ZIP, RAR), scripts, or executables to spread malware. Infections occur when these files are opened or additional actions are performed.

How to avoid installation of malware?

Avoid interacting with unexpected emails, particularly those from unknown sources, and never open their attachments or click on links. Only download files and applications from official websites or reputable app stores. Keep your operating system and all software up to date, and run regular scans with trusted security programs.

Additionally, refrain from clicking on ads, pop-ups, or links on untrustworthy websites, and do not allow unfamiliar sites to send notifications.

Text presented in the "HTTP Error 401 Invalid Security Token" email letter:

Subject: Authentication Required Immediately

'Sign in authentication required!!'

HTTP Error 401 Invalid Security Token!!

Hi ******** ,

You may have reached this error by the expiry, or non updated Email Service from Outlook, OWA, or Webmail server. To resolve this situation, please take the following steps:

Continue to load the URL, making sure that the information required is correctly inputed
Re-enter your accounts password below. This will assign your session a new security token. This new token will automatically update all expired services to continue using your Email without interruption.

Continue

Requested page: 3rdparty/outlook/.

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Quick menu:

• What is HTTP Error 401 Invalid Security Token fake email notification?
• 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?

Fraudulent emails are generally sent to many recipients at once and often do not include specific personal details. The addresses are commonly gathered from data breaches, fake websites, or other sources.

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

Immediately update any passwords that could have been compromised, and reach out to your bank or relevant authorities if your financial details may be exposed.

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

Some malicious files, like executables, can infect a system instantly when opened, while others, such as Word or PDF documents, generally become dangerous only if the user enables macros or takes other additional steps. The potential for infection depends both on the file and how it is handled.

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

Viewing an email alone does not pose a threat. Malware typically spreads when users interact with unsafe attachments or follow harmful links.

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

Combo Cleaner can eliminate the majority of malware, but performing a complete system scan is advised to uncover any hidden or advanced threats.