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

Cybercriminals are constantly evolving their tactics to deceive unsuspecting users, and one of the latest phishing scams to watch out for is the “Server (IMAP) Session Authentication” email campaign. This scam relies on impersonating official email service providers and frightening recipients into revealing sensitive login credentials.

This deceptive email attempts to convince users that their email accounts have been compromised due to “irregular activity.” It claims that access has been restricted and that action must be taken to confirm authentication. However, clicking on the provided link leads to a fraudulent login page designed to harvest your email and password.

Summary of Threat Details

Field	Details
Threat Name	“Server (IMAP) Session Authentication” Phishing Email
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud
Associated Emails	Not specified
Detection Names	CyRadar (Phishing), Kaspersky (Phishing), Sophos (Malware), Trustwave (Phishing), alphaMountain.ai (Suspicious)
Symptoms of Infection	Unauthorized purchases, password changes, identity theft, account lockout
Damage	Loss of private data, financial loss, unauthorized access, identity theft
Distribution Methods	Spam emails, deceptive links, rogue ads, search engine poisoning
Danger Level	High

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Email Text Example

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 !

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What Makes This Scam Dangerous?

• Highly convincing language mimicking official alerts
• A sense of urgency designed to trick users into acting without thinking
• Links to fake login pages that visually replicate genuine email provider portals
• Potential for identity theft and financial fraud if login details are submitted
• Can lead to further compromise of connected accounts and services

Once scammers get hold of your login credentials, they can lock you out of your own account, impersonate you, scam your contacts, access financial services, and deploy malware. Given how central email accounts are to online life, the consequences can be disastrous.

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How to Manually Identify and Remove Email Scams

Manually removing email scams involves recognizing fraudulent messages, securing your accounts, and taking precautions to prevent future attacks. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Identify Suspicious Emails

Before taking action, you need to identify scam emails. Common signs include:

• Unknown Sender: Emails from unfamiliar addresses, especially if they claim to be from banks, tech support, or government agencies.
• Urgency or Threats: Scammers often pressure you to act immediately (e.g., “Your account will be closed in 24 hours!”).
• Poor Grammar & Spelling: Many scam emails contain obvious grammatical mistakes.
• Suspicious Links & Attachments: Hover over links (without clicking) to check the actual URL. If it looks odd, don’t click.
• Requests for Personal Information: Legitimate companies will never ask for passwords, Social Security numbers, or credit card details via email.

Step 2: Do Not Click Links or Download Attachments

If you suspect an email is a scam:

• Do not click on any links.
• Do not open any attachments.
• Do not reply to the sender.

Step 3: Report the Email Scam

You can report the scam email to various authorities:

• Gmail/Outlook/Yahoo Users: Click the “Report Phishing” or “Report Spam” button in your email client.
• FTC (Federal Trade Commission, USA): Report to FTC Complaint Assistant.
• Google Safe Browsing: If the scam email contains a phishing website, report it here.

Step 4: Block the Sender

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

Step 5: Check Your Accounts for Unauthorized Activity

If you accidentally clicked a link or shared sensitive information:

• Change your passwords immediately. Use strong, unique passwords for every account.
• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA). This adds an extra layer of security to your accounts.
• Check your banking statements for unauthorized transactions.

Step 6: Scan Your Device for Malware

Some email scams contain malware hidden in attachments or malicious links. Run a full system scan using built-in tools:

• Windows Defender (Windows 10/11):
  • Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > Virus & Threat Protection.
  • Click “Quick Scan” or “Full Scan”.
• Mac Users:
  • Use Malwarebytes for Mac or another security tool.

Step 7: Adjust Your Email Security Settings

• Enable email filtering to reduce spam and phishing emails.
• Add a third-party spam filter such as Mailwasher or Spamihilator.
• Educate yourself and others on phishing techniques to avoid future scams.

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How to Remove Email Scams Using SpyHunter (Automated Method)

For users who prefer an automated, foolproof method to remove threats linked to email scams, SpyHunter offers an advanced security solution. SpyHunter is an anti-malware tool designed to detect and remove phishing-related threats, spyware, Trojans, and other cyber threats. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Download SpyHunter

1. Visit the official SpyHunter download page: Download SpyHunter
2. Click on “Download” and save the installation file to your computer.

Step 2: Install SpyHunter

1. Locate the downloaded file (SpyHunter-Installer.exe) and double-click to open it.
2. Follow the on-screen installation instructions.
3. After installation, launch SpyHunter.

Step 3: Perform a Full System Scan

1. Open SpyHunter and navigate to “Malware/PC Scan”.
2. Click “Start Scan Now” to begin a deep scan of your system.
3. SpyHunter will analyze files, registry entries, and processes for any threats linked to email scams, phishing, and malware.

Step 4: Review and Remove Detected Threats

1. Once the scan completes, SpyHunter will list all detected threats.
2. Click “Fix Threats” to remove them.
3. Restart your computer to complete the removal process.

Step 5: Enable Real-Time Protection

SpyHunter includes real-time protection features to help prevent future infections:

• Enable Active Guards: This monitors your system for malware in real time.
• Schedule Automatic Scans: Set up periodic scans to detect new threats early.

Step 6: Keep SpyHunter Updated

• Regularly check for updates to ensure SpyHunter detects the latest threats.
• To update SpyHunter, open the app and go to “Settings” > “Update”, then click “Check for Updates”.

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Preventing Future Email Scams

Now that you’ve removed email scams, take proactive steps to prevent them in the future:

Use a Secure Email Provider

• Consider switching to a secure email provider like ProtonMail or Tutanota, which offer advanced encryption.

Be Cautious with Email Links

• If you receive an email with a suspicious link, verify the website’s legitimacy before clicking.

Avoid Public Wi-Fi for Sensitive Activities

• Scammers can use public Wi-Fi to intercept your data. Use a VPN when accessing email on public networks.

Regularly Change Your Passwords

• Update your passwords every few months, and never reuse old passwords.

Use Anti-Phishing Extensions

• Install browser extensions like Bitdefender TrafficLight or Avast Online Security to detect phishing links in real-time.

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Email scams are a serious cyber threat that can lead to financial loss, identity theft, or malware infections. By following the manual removal steps, you can effectively identify and remove suspicious emails on your own. However, for advanced protection, using SpyHunter ensures a more thorough and automated approach to detecting and removing phishing-related threats.

Recommended Action

For a fast and efficient way to remove email scams and related malware, download and install SpyHunter now: Download SpyHunter

By staying informed and proactive, you can protect yourself from future email scams and online threats!

Conclusion

The “Server (IMAP) Session Authentication” phishing email is not just an annoyance—it’s a serious security threat. It disguises itself as a legitimate alert, urging victims to protect their email accounts, only to trick them into giving away sensitive credentials. If you receive such an email, do not click any links or input your credentials. Always verify the authenticity of such messages by contacting your email provider directly.