unusual log in

Karen Burnham 0 Reputation points
2026-10-05T22:37:15.85+00:00

I received an email stating from Microsoft that an unusual log in had occurred on my account, from Brazil. Checked my emails on my laptop and the most recent emails are now all in a foreign language, not Portugese, looks more of an Asian language. What do I do now?

Outlook | Web | Outlook.com | Email
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  1. TaoLi 114.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-10-06T01:13:26.5533333+00:00

    Hi, don’t click any links in that email. Go directly to https://account.microsoft.com/security and review your sign-in activity. If there’s a successful sign-in you don’t recognise, change your password, turn on two-step verification and select Sign out everywhere.

    In Outlook, check Settings >> Mail >> Rules and Forwarding, and remove anything you didn’t set up.

    Is the foreign language only inside the new emails, or have Outlook’s menus and folder names changed too?

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  2. AI answer

    2026-10-05T22:37:34.5033333+00:00

    Treat this as a possible account compromise and secure the account immediately.

    1. Go to the Security basics page and select Review activity.
      • Check the Unusual activity and Recent activity sections.
      • If the Brazil sign-in was not recognized, expand it and select This wasn't me or Secure your account.
    2. On the same Security basics page, select Change password.
      • Create a strong new password.
      • If the current password no longer works, use Forgot my password and choose I think someone else is using my Microsoft account.
    3. Review the account’s recent sign-ins on the Recent activity page.
      • This shows sign-ins from the last 30 days and device or app details.
    4. Because Outlook.com is now showing a foreign language, check for mailbox changes that attackers commonly make.
      • In Outlook.com, open Settings.
      • Under Mail, review Rules, Conditional formatting, Forwarding and IMAP, and Junk.
      • Remove anything that was not created intentionally.
    5. Review account changes outside the mailbox.
      • Check account aliases and remove any that are not recognized.
      • Check devices linked to the account and remove any that are not recognized.
      • Review app access and remove anything not recognized.
      • Check security contact information and app passwords, and remove anything unfamiliar.
      • Use Sign out everywhere if available. This can take up to 24 hours to fully take effect.
    6. If sign-in is blocked because Microsoft detected unusual activity, follow the sign-in screen prompts to receive a security code and unlock the account.
      • If traveling or away from the usual phone or email, signing in from a trusted device or usual location can help.
    7. If access cannot be restored, use the sign-in helper or contact Microsoft Support. Support agents cannot send password reset links or change account details.

    Also verify the alert itself. A legitimate unusual sign-in email is from the Microsoft account team at ******@accountprotection.microsoft.com.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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