“Update Your Webmail Account Settings” Email Scam – Removal and Prevention Guide

The “Update Your Webmail Account Settings” email scam is a phishing attack designed to steal login credentials from unsuspecting users. This email falsely claims that recipients must update their webmail settings by a specific deadline to maintain uninterrupted access and security improvements. Clicking the provided “Update” button redirects victims to a fraudulent login page where they are tricked into entering their credentials.

Once scammers acquire these credentials, they can use them to access personal email accounts, banking services, and social media platforms, leading to identity theft, unauthorized financial transactions, and further phishing attacks. The stolen data may also be sold on the dark web.

Threat Summary

Category	Details
Threat Name	Update Your Webmail Account Settings Email Scam
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud
Fake Claim	Users need to update their webmail settings for uninterrupted access and security improvements
Related Domain	cream-giraffe-nmw4r1.mystrikingly[.]com
Detection Names	Abusix (Spam), Trustwave (Phishing), Full List on VirusTotal
Disguise	Official email from a webmail provider
Symptoms	Generic greeting, urgent tone, suspicious links, grammatical errors
Distribution Methods	Phishing emails, fake pop-up ads, search engine poisoning, typosquatted domains
Damage Potential	Identity theft, financial fraud, loss of sensitive information, unauthorized access to accounts
Danger Level	High

Example of the Scam Email

Subject: WARNING : Update ******** Account Settings 1/31/2025 1:32:16 a.m.

Hi ********

Update your webmail account settings to ensure uninterrupted access. Please log in to your account and verify your information by 1/31/2025 1:32:16 a.m.

[Update]

"We are enhancing our webmail system! Please log in to update your account details to experience improved features and security."

"To maintain optimal performance, please review and update your webmail account settings by 1/31/2025 1:32:16 a.m.

Send to ********

How to Remove the "Update Your Webmail Account Settings" Scam

If you clicked the link and suspect malware or spyware might have been installed, follow these removal steps:

Step 1: Disconnect from the Internet

• Temporarily disconnect your computer from the internet to prevent further unauthorized access.

Step 2: Change Your Passwords

• If you entered your credentials, immediately change your email password and any associated accounts (such as banking or social media).

Step 3: Run SpyHunter to Detect and Remove Malware

1. Download SpyHunter.
2. Install the program and launch it.
3. Click on "Start Scan Now" to perform a full system scan.
4. Wait for the scan to complete and review the detected threats.
5. Click "Fix Threats" to remove the phishing-related malware.
6. Restart your computer after the removal process.

Step 4: Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

• Activate 2FA on your email and other critical accounts to enhance security.

Step 5: Report the Phishing Attempt

• Forward the scam email to your webmail provider’s abuse or fraud department.
• Report phishing emails to phishing-report@us-cert.gov.

Preventive Measures Against Phishing Emails

1. Inspect Emails Carefully

• Avoid clicking on suspicious links.
• Hover over links to verify their destination.
• Look for grammatical errors and generic greetings (e.g., "Dear User").

2. Verify the Sender’s Email Address

• Legitimate companies use official domains (e.g., support@yourprovider.com instead of yourprovider@gmail.com).

3. Keep Your Software Updated

• Update your web browser, operating system, and security software regularly to patch vulnerabilities.

4. Use a Reputable Anti-Malware Tool

• SpyHunter is an excellent tool for detecting phishing-related malware and trojans.

5. Backup Your Data Regularly

• Store backups on external hard drives or cloud storage to prevent data loss.