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Cyber Security - Phishing - What to do if Your Account is Marked as SPAM
Explanation of what happens when accounts are flagged as spam and what the user needs to do to re-secure their account.
If you have clicked on a phishing link and your account begins sending phishing emails to others, Microsoft will flag your account and mark it as a spam account.
ITS takes the following actions on your account in response:
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All forwarding rules are removed from your Exchange mailbox.
- When accounts are compromised, attackers sometimes set up forwarding rules that send your emails to another account.
- ITS removes any forwarding addresses to ensure your emails continue going to your inbox.
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All inbox rules are removed from your Exchange mailbox.
- Attackers may also create inbox rules that redirect or delete your incoming mail — for example, sending mail straight to trash or to your spam folder.
- ITS removes any such rules to ensure your emails are delivered to your inbox.
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Your account is suspended.
- ITS immediately changes your password to prevent the attacker from retaining access to your account.
- This means you will not be able to sign into Canvas, email, WINGS, or any other university account until you reset your password.
To restore access, follow the instructions in Reset Your Expired or Forgotten Password (opens in new tab).