NSA Warns Microsoft Users: Change Account Settings Now to Stop Hackers Exploiting Vulnerabilities

2025-11-06

By Jeffery Walker

NSA Warns Microsoft Users: Change Account Settings Now to Stop Hackers Exploiting Vulnerabilities

America’s Cyber Agency Issues Urgent Alert

The U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) has issued a critical warning to Microsoft users, urging immediate action to secure accounts and systems. The advisory highlights a growing wave of cyberattacks targeting Microsoft environments, especially those running on-premise Exchange servers.

According to the NSA, hackers are actively exploiting unpatched vulnerabilities and weak account configurations to gain unauthorized access to corporate networks and user data. Microsoft has echoed these concerns, recently warning that threat actors continue to compromise accounts through outdated setups and poor security practices.

The Threat: Exploited Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Systems

Cybercriminals are taking advantage of vulnerabilities in on-premise Microsoft Exchange servers and other legacy systems. Once inside, they can exfiltrate sensitive data, spread malware, or use compromised systems as gateways for larger network intrusions.

Many of these breaches result from:

Unpatched or outdated systems
Defunct or unused servers still online
Weak administrator controls
Lack of multi-factor authentication (MFA)

The NSA stresses that attackers are not just breaking in, they are often logging in using stolen credentials. This makes account security and configuration management critical.

NSA’s Key Recommendations for Microsoft Users

The NSA’s latest advisory provides a list of best practices aimed at both IT administrators and individual users. While the technical guidance is extensive, the core message is simple: patch, protect, and harden your accounts.

For Administrators:

Apply Security Patches Immediately: Keep all Microsoft systems, especially on-premise Exchange, fully updated.
Retire Unused or Outdated Servers: Remove legacy systems that no longer receive updates or are rarely used.
Restrict Administrator Access: Limit admin privileges to only those who need them and review access logs regularly.
Enforce Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Require MFA for all users, especially for admin and remote access accounts.

For Users:

Review Account Settings: Ensure MFA is enabled on all accounts.
Use Strong, Unique Passwords: Avoid password reuse across services.
Stay Alert for Phishing Attempts: Many attacks begin with deceptive emails or messages.
Update Devices and Software: Regularly install Microsoft security updates and patches.

Microsoft’s Own Warnings Mirror the NSA

Microsoft has also issued alerts, warning that many account takeovers stem from unsecured or misconfigured settings. The company emphasized that while cloud-based systems like Microsoft 365 are generally more resilient, organizations running on-premise servers face higher risk if they delay updates or skip MFA enforcement.

Recent breaches have shown that even well-resourced organizations can fall victim when outdated systems remain connected to the internet.

How Risk Cognizance Can Help Prevent Future Risks

While the NSA’s warning focuses on immediate security hygiene, proactive risk management requires continuous visibility across assets, vendors, and internal controls

This is where Risk Cognizance empowers organizations to stay ahead of emerging threats using integrated GRC, ASM, and TPRM solutions.

1. Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Software
Risk Cognizance’s AI-powered GRC platform helps organizations automate compliance, identify vulnerabilities, and manage controls across all environments, including Microsoft infrastructures.

Gain unified visibility into compliance and risk posture.
Automate policy enforcement and control testing.
Streamline audit readiness for frameworks like SOC 2, ISO 27001, and NIST.

2. Attack Surface Management (ASM)
The ASM module continuously scans your digital footprint to detect exposed assets, misconfigurations, and vulnerabilities before attackers find them.

Discover unmanaged or forgotten assets.
Identify exploitable weaknesses in real time.
Receive prioritized remediation guidance to reduce risk exposure.

3. Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM)
Cyber risks extend beyond internal systems. Risk Cognizance’s TPRM solution helps assess and monitor vendors to prevent supply chain attacks.

Automate vendor assessments and continuous monitoring.
Evaluate partners for compliance with data protection and cybersecurity standards.
Maintain full visibility into third-party risks with real-time dashboards.
Together, these capabilities help organizations move from reactive patching to proactive defense, aligning directly with NSA’s core message to act before a breach happens.

Why This Matters: Building a Resilient Cybersecurity Program

The NSA’s guidance underscores a critical reality: most breaches are preventable. The difference between a secure system and a compromised one often comes down to timely patching, disciplined access control, and layered authentication.

By combining these operational best practices with Risk Cognizance’s GRC, ASM, and TPRM capabilities, organizations can build a resilient cybersecurity program that detects, mitigates, and prevents risks before they escalate.