If your Outlook inbox looks a little busier than usual, then there's some good news and some bad news.
The good news is that you're not alone, however, the bad news is that Microsoft users are complaining that they are suddenly seeing surges of spam mail.
It is thought that Microsoft's usually tight filters are currently experiencing breakdowns, allowing malicious spam and phishing emails to slip through the net.
Read more: Second-hand shoppers warned of online scams as experts explain key warning signs
The Express reports that it's now vital that all Outlook users check their inbox carefully and delete anything that doesn't appear to have come from a trusted source as nasty malware, scams or phishing campaigns are likely to have bypassed email security. The worrying bug appears to have begun earlier today with Outlook users taking to social media to complain about the glitch.
"What’s happening? Lots of spam getting past all the filters and filling my inbox, almost nothing going into junk folder!" said one Outlook user, while another named Angie, added: "Is it just me or has @Outlook’s spam filter decided to take a holiday?!?! It is beyond ludicrous to have this many emails break through the filter into my inbox."
Along with mentions across Twitter and other platforms, outage monitor Down Detector is also showing a large number of reports of Outlook being down. There's currently no word from Microsoft on what is causing the bug but it's still an ongoing issue.
If you weren't aware, spam filters check each email as it arrives in your inbox. If something causes concern then the message is automatically placed inside a Junk e-mail box. This keeps it away from your main messages and can help cut down on nuisance correspondence and the chance of being targeted by malicious emails.
It's these filters that appear to be broken which is why so many people are being flooded by unwanted messages. It's unclear how widespread the problem is or how many users are being affected by the glitch but if your inbox is now flooded with bizarre messages you might want to spend some time carefully deleting anything that looks out of the norm.
Cyber criminals often use emails to tempt users into downloading malware-packed files. Links are also sometimes included that take people to fake websites where user names and passwords are siphoned and used to hack accounts.
Hopefully, Microsoft will release a fix soon. We'll update this article should we hear more.
Read next:
- Households warned not to respond to 'toxic mould' scam after victims lose thousands
Martin Lewis' MSE urges Asda and Lidl shoppers to act now to help slash food bill
Virgin Money, TSB and Nationwide bank account holders warned over online security risk
Martin Lewis says DWP error means 100,000 people can claim £6,000 cash back
Warning as cruel scammers use fake appeals to profit from Turkey-Syria earthquakes
