How to Deal With “Server (IMAP) Session Authentication” Phishing Email

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Phishing scams continue to evolve, and one of the latest examples of social engineering fraud is the deceptive “Server (IMAP) Session Authentication” email. Disguised as a security alert from your email provider, this scam attempts to trick users into clicking a fake authentication link and entering sensitive login credentials.

Upon inspection, this phishing email campaign was found to have no association with any legitimate service. Instead, it redirects users to a forged sign-in page meant to harvest login credentials for nefarious purposes. These stolen credentials can be used for identity theft, unauthorized access to financial accounts, and other malicious activities.

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Threat Summary

Attribute	Details
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering
Fake Claim	Account access restricted due to irregular activity
Email Subject	“Delivery Issue: Your incoming Emails Are on Hold – Action Required”
Sender	Spoofed or anonymous email addresses (varies)
Phishing Site Domain	grandiose-dandy-actress.glitch[.]me
Associated Email	Not disclosed (varies per campaign)
Detection Names	CyRadar (Phishing), Kaspersky (Phishing), Sophos (Malware), Trustwave (Phishing), alphaMountain.ai (Suspicious)
Symptoms of Infection	Unauthorized purchases, password changes, account lockouts, identity theft
Distribution Methods	Deceptive emails, rogue ads, typo-squatted domains
Damage Potential	Identity theft, financial fraud, privacy breaches
Danger Level	High

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Email Text (Phishing Message Sample)

Subject: Delivery Issue: Your incoming Emails Are on Hold – Action Required

Server (IMAP) Session Authentication

Dear

This notification is addressed to your user e-mail account [ ]

Our security system has detected some irregular activity connected to your account.

As a precautionary measure, we have restricted access to your account until this issue has been resolved. To prevent further irregular activity, you will be unable to send out any emails.

To ensure your account is protected at all times, we ask you to complete the following steps:

CONFIRM AUTHENTICATION !

This email message includes a clickable “CONFIRM AUTHENTICATION!” button which links to a phishing site designed to look like a legitimate login page. Victims who enter their credentials here unknowingly hand over their login details to scammers.

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Why This Scam Is Dangerous

Once credentials are stolen, attackers can:

• Take over the victim’s email and linked accounts (e.g., social media, e-commerce)
• Commit identity fraud or financial theft
• Send more spam or phishing emails from the compromised account
• Spread malware or ransomware by attaching infected files to outgoing messages

In particular, scammers may leverage stolen email access to request money from friends or impersonate the user in more advanced scams.

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Manual Removal Guide: How to Identify and Remove Email Scams Yourself

Step 1: Recognizing Scam Emails

Before taking action, learn to identify email scams. Some common red flags include:

• Unknown Sender: Emails from unfamiliar addresses, especially if they claim to be from banks, tech support, or government agencies.
• Urgent or Threatening Language: Messages pressuring you to act quickly (e.g., “Your account will be suspended!”).
• Poor Grammar & Spelling Mistakes: Many scam emails contain grammatical errors.
• Suspicious Links or Attachments: Hover over links to check if they lead to an unusual website before clicking.
• Requests for Personal or Financial Information: Legitimate companies will never ask for sensitive details via email.

Step 2: Avoid Interacting with Scam Emails

If an email appears suspicious:

• Do NOT click on any links.
• Do NOT download attachments.
• Do NOT reply to the sender.

Step 3: Report the Email Scam

Reporting scam emails helps prevent others from falling victim to them:

• Gmail/Outlook/Yahoo Users: Click “Report Phishing” or “Report Spam” in your email client.
• FTC (U.S. users): Report scams to the FTC Complaint Assistant.
• Google Safe Browsing: Report phishing sites at Google’s Phishing Report.

Step 4: Block the Sender

To prevent further scam emails from the same sender:

• Gmail: Open the email, click the three dots, and select “Block [Sender Name]”.
• Outlook: Open the email, select “Junk” > “Block Sender”.
• Yahoo Mail: Click “More” > “Block Sender”.

Step 5: Check Your Accounts for Compromise

If you’ve interacted with a scam email:

• Change your passwords immediately. Use strong, unique passwords.
• Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA). Adds an extra security layer.
• Monitor your banking transactions for suspicious activity.

Step 6: Scan Your Device for Malware

If you accidentally clicked a link or downloaded a file, scan your system for malware:

• Windows Users (Windows Defender)
  • Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > Virus & Threat Protection.
  • Click “Quick Scan” or “Full Scan”.
• Mac Users
  • Use security software like Malwarebytes for Mac to scan for threats.

Step 7: Strengthen Email Security

• Enable spam filtering in your email provider’s settings.
• Use a third-party spam filter such as Spamihilator or Mailwasher.
• Stay educated on phishing techniques to avoid falling for scams in the future.

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SpyHunter Removal Guide: Automated Solution for Email Scam Threats

SpyHunter is a powerful anti-malware tool designed to detect and remove phishing-related threats, Trojans, spyware, and other cyber threats. If you prefer a quick and automated solution, follow these steps:

Step 1: Download SpyHunter

1. Visit the official SpyHunter download page: Download SpyHunter
2. Click “Download” and save the file.

Step 2: Install SpyHunter

1. Open the downloaded file (SpyHunter-Installer.exe).
2. Follow the on-screen installation instructions.
3. Once installed, launch SpyHunter.

Step 3: Perform a Full System Scan

1. Open SpyHunter and go to “Malware/PC Scan”.
2. Click “Start Scan Now” to begin scanning.
3. SpyHunter will detect threats linked to email scams.

Step 4: Review and Remove Detected Threats

1. After the scan completes, SpyHunter will display a list of detected threats.
2. Click "Fix Threats" to remove them.
3. Restart your computer after removal.

Step 5: Enable Real-Time Protection

• Activate SpyHunter’s Active Guards for real-time malware protection.
• Schedule regular system scans for ongoing security.

Step 6: Keep SpyHunter Updated

• Regularly update SpyHunter to detect new threats.
• To update, go to "Settings" > "Update" and click "Check for Updates".

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How to Prevent Future Email Scams

To avoid falling for email scams in the future, follow these precautions:

Use a Secure Email Provider

Consider using encrypted email services like ProtonMail or Tutanota for enhanced security.

Avoid Clicking Suspicious Links

Always verify links before clicking by hovering over them to see the actual URL.

Use a VPN on Public Wi-Fi

Scammers can intercept your data on public networks. Use a VPN for secure browsing.

Regularly Change Your Passwords

Use a password manager to generate and store secure passwords.

Install Anti-Phishing Browser Extensions

Use security extensions like Bitdefender TrafficLight or Avast Online Security to detect phishing attempts.

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Email scams pose a significant risk to personal and financial security. By following this manual removal guide, you can effectively identify and remove scam emails. For those seeking a fast and automated approach, SpyHunter provides a reliable solution to detect and remove email scam-related threats.

Take Action Now

Protect your device from scam-related malware with SpyHunter: Download SpyHunter

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Conclusion

Stay alert and always verify the authenticity of suspicious emails—especially those demanding immediate action. If you've fallen for such a scam, take immediate steps to secure your accounts and change your passwords.

If you are still having trouble, consider contacting virtual technical support.