Reset Your Hotmail Password After Being Hacked
On Thursday the 25th I tried to log into my Hotmail account, but it said my "login information" was incorrect. This was strange because I saved my password and username. I tried to log into my Windows Messenger which usually automatically logs in when I startup my computer, but it also would not log me into my account because of "incorrect login information".
So I clicked on forgot my password and had the option of either having a reset link sent to my alternate email or providing location information and the answer to my secret question. As far as sending a reset link to my alternate email, that was not possible because I did not specify a different email when I first signed up with Hotmail. I highly recommend registering an alternate email when you first sign up because it will make resetting your password much easier and quicker.
Since I could not use an alternate email I entered in my location information and the answer to my secret question. This did not work, however, because it said my answer to the question was incorrect. This means that whoever hacked into the account changed the answer to the question or I just did not remember it correctly since it had been 4 years since I entered the answer.
This left one last option. I sent an email directly to the Hotmail help staff from my Gmail account asking for any help. Surprisingly they responded within 24 hours. In the first reply they gave me the standard response that I should try several things with my computer first such as clear the computers cookies and cache and remove stored passwords from WindowsXP. I replied saying this did not help and that I know the problem is from my account being hacked. I again received a quick response and was told my password could be reset as long as I provided sufficient information about my account. The information they asked for was:
1. Your Windows Live ID
2. Your first name and your last name
3. Your date of birth (month/date/year)
4. Your country
5. Your state (if applicable)
6. Your postal code
7. Your IP address List the IP addresses from each computer that you use to access your account.
8. The answer to your secret question
9. The "alternate e-mail address" that is on file for the account
10. Your Internet service provider.
11. The last date and time when you successfully signed in
12. The names of any folders that you created in addition to the default folders
13. Names of contacts in your address book (please include the e-mail address)
14. Subjects of any old mail that is in your Inbox or mail folders
I provided all of this information (except of course my secret question answer and alternate email on file) in my reply email.
I waited and just 12 hours later I was sent an email from Microsoft saying that the information I provided was enough to verify that I was indeed the rightful owner of the account. They provided a link in the email that allowed me to reset my password, reset my secret question, and update an alternate email address.
The entire process of getting my password reset after having my Hotmail account hacked took just 2 and a half days. And the amazing thing is this was done over the weekend and not during the regular work week. I was surprisingly impressed with Microsoft support. It is now Sunday afternoon and I am able to log into my Hotmail account with no problems. When I logged into my email this morning I found a lot of mail from the hacker and from people he or she was talking to. I also saw a lot of emails from Paypal about all the purchases this person made while in control of my account.
I'm just glad to have my account back and now I'm looking through all my email to check for changes.
Published by Jeffrey Kottmyer
Currently living in Northern Kentucky, Jeff is a 21 year old college student who loves writing about anything and everything. Right now He is studying Media Informatics, working as an admin. assistant/financ... View profile
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77 Comments
Post a CommentWhat was the e-mail address you used to contact microsoft?
Thank you so much for your feedback I have had everything hacked into.
Someone has hacked the above hotmail account is there away of getting it back contact me on jack89518@hotmail.com
My hotmail account has been hacked. Kindly restore my account with a new pass word. My alternative id is s.r.dajani@hotmail.com
* joca-rnr@hotmail.com
i licke hacking a passwords
i wan a programer with hack password of password
Hi, I've also got hacked my hotmail. I have twice written all my information to them, and both times received a message from them about my answers were correct. I then followed the link they sent in, yet it keeps on writing that I am blocked .. Have you some ideas for what I should do?
I had the same problem you had; however, the Microsoft team has not been as helpful to me. They asked me to provide the same information that you mentioned in your article; however, they said the information was wrong, and like you, the only information that I know to most likely be incorrect is the answer and secret question (as I do not remember what they were, but am pretty sure that I have them pretty close) and the extra email because I provided one but never used it again so it was removed and is thus, unavailable to me. They refuse to help me further saying I just need to get a new email but I told them that was not an option because this email is connected to my website in officelive and it is work related so all my contacts and the website that I worked very hard for would be lost, not to mention this is a business. I do not know if it was hacked. The day before this happened, I changed the email to prevent hacking as I saw something on the news about it and felt it may be a g
Dear Sirs,
I really need your help & support, my hotmail account (nermeen_f@hotmail.com) was hacked last wednesday the 12th jan.2011 & i can't access no more to it i tried to send the hotmail customer support with all the info that i know but they still can't figure it out,, THIS ISSUE started to cause me Problems such as using my photos & my personal info. in doing illegal plays PLEASE PLEASE i need u finding out my mail back time is running out & i'm really getting scared,,, here listed down my info helping you in finding a way to solve this::
Contact Email Address current one: nermofathalla@gmail.com
Windows Live ID Account: nermeen_f@hotmail.com
(the one which hacked)
Full Name: Nermeen Fathalla
Date of birth: 13 may 1979
Country:
State:
ZIP or Postal Code: 002
The secret answer to your question: i
Your alternate e-mail address:
Your IP address: 192.168.1.66
Your Internet service provider: tedata
The last date and time that you successfully signed in:
Hello Guest,
Of course that information is needed to retrieve a person's hotmail account information. But it is sent directly to Microsoft Tech Support so that they can verify you are the owner of the account and help you get back into your account.
**Everyone should please note that you should only send personal information directly to Microsoft and verify that the Microsoft address is secure...you can see this by looking in the address bar and ensuring that it begins with "https" with the 's' meaning Secure. Here is the address to contact Microsoft directly and the only place you should provide personal information:
https://support.microsoft.com/contactus/emailcontact.aspx?scid=sw;en;1208&ws=support
Also, please note that I have no control of your account and cannot help in restoring your Hotmail account. Please use the link above to begin the process of retrieving your password and getting back into your account.