How to Identify Fake “Server (IMAP) Session Authentication” Emails

Phishing attempts targeting email account credentials continue to be a pervasive cybersecurity threat. One recent scheme is the “Server (IMAP) Session Authentication” phishing campaign. In this guide, we’ll explain how to recognize this dangerous phishing scam and the steps to take if you encounter it.

Name	“Server (IMAP) Session Authentication” phishing email
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud
Fake Claim	Access to the email account has been restricted due to irregular activity
Disguise	Email service provider security system
Related Domains	grandiose-dandy-actress.glitch[.]me
Detection Names	CyRadar (Phishing), Kaspersky (Phishing), Sophos (Malware), Trustwave (Phishing), alphaMountain.ai (Suspicious)
Serving IP Address	151.101.66.59
Symptoms	Unauthorized online purchases, changed online account passwords, identity theft, illegal access of the computer
Distribution Methods	Deceptive emails, rogue online pop-up ads, search engine poisoning techniques, misspelled domains
Damage	Loss of sensitive private information, monetary loss, identity theft

What is the “Server (IMAP) Session Authentication” Phishing Email?

The “Server (IMAP) Session Authentication” email is a spam message claiming that access to the recipient’s email account has been restricted due to detected irregular activity. This phishing email typically has a subject line such as “Delivery Issue: Your incoming Emails Are on Hold – Action Required” to create a sense of urgency.

The email falsely states that the security system has detected suspicious activity on the recipient’s mail account and, as a precaution, access to the account has been restricted, including the ability to send emails. Recipients are instructed to complete an authentication process to regain access to their account.

Text presented in the “Server (IMAP) Session Authentication” spam email letter:

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 !

It must be emphasized: all claims in this email are false, and this message is not associated with any legitimate email service providers.

How the Scam Works

When the recipient clicks on the prominent “CONFIRM AUTHENTICATION!” button in the email, they are redirected to a phishing website disguised as an email account sign-in page. The site mimics legitimate email provider login interfaces to trick users into entering their credentials.

Any account credentials (username, email address, password) entered on this fake login page are captured and sent to the cybercriminals behind the scam. With these stolen credentials, attackers can gain access to the victim’s email account.

Email accounts often contain highly sensitive information and serve as a gateway to other connected accounts and services. Once compromised, these accounts can be used in several harmful ways:

• Identity theft by assuming the account owner’s identity
• Requesting loans or donations from contacts, friends, or followers
• Promoting additional scams to the victim’s contact list
• Distributing malware through malicious attachments or links
• Accessing other accounts linked to the email (banking, social media, etc.)
• Stealing personal and financial information found in email correspondence

Victims of the “Server (IMAP) Session Authentication” phishing scam can suffer severe privacy breaches, financial losses, and ongoing security issues.

Examples of Related Phishing Campaigns

Email account security phishing attacks are part of a broader trend in cybercrime. Similar phishing schemes include:

• Chase – Transfer Is Processing And Will Be Deducted – phishing emails claiming pending financial transfers
• “Wells Fargo – Account Suspended” – fake notifications about bank account suspension
• “Two-Factor Authentication Activation” – emails urging users to activate authentication through a phishing link
• “Notification Summary” – vague security alerts designed to harvest credentials
• “Account Security Verification” – false claims about account security issues requiring immediate action

The common element in all these schemes is the creation of urgency and fear to prompt immediate, unthinking action from the recipient. The scammers exploit basic human psychology – the fear of losing access to important accounts or services – to bypass normal security awareness.

How to Spot a Phishing Email

While cybercriminals continue to refine their tactics, there are several reliable indicators that can help identify phishing attempts like the “Server (IMAP) Session Authentication” scam:

• Examine the sender’s email address: Hover your mouse over the “from” field to reveal the actual email address. Legitimate service providers use their official domain names. For example, Google will send emails from addresses ending with @google.com or @gmail.com, not from generic or suspicious domains.
• Look for generic greetings: Legitimate service providers typically address you by name. Greetings like “Dear User,” “Dear Customer,” or “Dear Mail User” often indicate a mass-sent phishing attempt.
• Check for poor grammar and spelling: Many phishing emails contain grammatical errors, awkward phrasing, or unusual sentence structures that wouldn’t appear in official communications.
• Verify links before clicking: Hover over any buttons or links (without clicking) to see the actual destination URL. If it doesn’t match the legitimate company’s domain or looks suspicious, don’t click it.
• Be wary of urgent requests: Phishing emails typically create a false sense of urgency to provoke immediate action without careful consideration.
• Question unexpected authentication requests: If you didn’t request any account changes or authentication, be extremely cautious of emails claiming you need to verify or authenticate your account.

For enhanced protection against phishing and malicious emails, we recommend using Trojan Killer for Windows, which can help identify and block phishing attempts.

What to Do If You’ve Fallen for the Scam

If you suspect you’ve interacted with a “Server (IMAP) Session Authentication” phishing email or similar scam, take these immediate actions:

• Change your email password immediately: Log in to your email account through the legitimate website (not through any links in the suspicious email) and change your password right away.
• Enable two-factor authentication: If available, activate two-factor authentication on your email account to add an extra layer of security.
• Check account activity: Review your recent account activity for any unauthorized access or suspicious actions.
• Update passwords on linked accounts: Change passwords for any accounts connected to your email, especially financial services, social media, and other critical accounts.
• Scan your computer for malware: Run a comprehensive scan using Trojan Killer or another reputable security tool to detect any malware that might have been installed.
• Monitor financial accounts: Check your bank statements and credit card activity for unauthorized transactions.
• Report the phishing attempt: Forward the phishing email to your email provider’s security team, the Anti-Phishing Working Group (reportphishing@apwg.org), and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).

Connection to Other Cybersecurity Threats

Email credential phishing attacks like the “Server (IMAP) Session Authentication” scam are often gateway attacks that can lead to more severe security incidents:

Connection to identity theft: Compromised email accounts provide access to personal information that can be used for identity theft. Criminals may find personal documents, tax information, or access to other accounts that contain sensitive personally identifiable information (PII).

Launching pad for malware attacks: Once attackers control an email account, they often use it to distribute malware to contacts. This includes information-stealing trojans like Emotet, which can harvest additional credentials and banking information.

Business email compromise: In corporate settings, compromised email accounts can lead to business email compromise (BEC) attacks, where criminals impersonate executives or vendors to request fraudulent wire transfers or sensitive information. These attacks have resulted in billions of dollars in losses globally, according to the FBI’s reports on financial trojans like TrickBot.

Ransomware delivery: Email account access may be used as an initial entry point in ransomware attacks. By sending malicious links or attachments from a trusted email address, attackers increase the likelihood that recipients will open them, potentially leading to ransomware infections like LockBit 4.0.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did I receive this “Server (IMAP) Session Authentication” email?

These emails are sent in mass campaigns to thousands or even millions of email addresses that cybercriminals have collected from various sources. Receiving such an email doesn’t mean your account actually has any issues—it’s simply a widespread phishing attempt hoping to catch some percentage of recipients.

Are my emails really being held or is my account actually restricted?

No. The claims in the “Server (IMAP) Session Authentication” email are completely false. Your email account has not been restricted, and no emails are being held. This is merely a social engineering tactic to create urgency and panic, making you more likely to click on the malicious link.

I clicked the link but didn’t enter my information. Am I safe?

Simply visiting a phishing website without entering credentials typically doesn’t compromise your account. However, some sophisticated phishing sites may attempt to exploit browser vulnerabilities. As a precaution, clear your browser cache and cookies, update your browser to the latest version, and run a security scan of your device.

I entered my email credentials on the fake site. What should I do?

Immediately change your email password through the legitimate login page of your email provider. Enable two-factor authentication if available, check for any unauthorized account activity, and change passwords for any other accounts that use the same or similar passwords. Also, scan your computer for malware.

How can I protect myself from similar phishing attempts in the future?

Maintain a healthy skepticism toward unexpected emails, especially those creating urgency. Verify sender email addresses carefully, don’t click on embedded links (instead, visit websites directly by typing the address in your browser), keep your security software updated, and enable two-factor authentication on all important accounts.

Conclusion

The “Server (IMAP) Session Authentication” phishing scam represents a significant threat to email users, potentially leading to account compromise, identity theft, and financial loss. By understanding the tactics used in these emails and implementing proper security practices, you can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to such attacks.

Remember that legitimate email service providers never request authentication through unsolicited emails with embedded buttons or links. If you’re ever uncertain about an email claiming to be from your provider, the safest approach is to manually navigate to the official website or app and check your account status directly.

Stay vigilant, verify before trusting, and maintain updated security practices to protect your digital identity in an increasingly sophisticated threat landscape.