Hi all.
I've had the same Hotmail account for something like 15+ years.
The other day, I typed in my e-mail address & password, and this message comes up that my account may have been accessed without my knowledge (in other words: hacked!!).
At first, I thought this "message" was some kind of "hoax", that I mis-typed something wrong, and was redirected to some phony phishing site.
So I cleared my browser, closed it out, and even launched a different browser (Firefox instead of IE), but the same message popped up. I had a security code then sent to me (choices of an alternate e-mail address I had provided.....phone number....text message....).
Anyway, I logged in, changed my password, and there was a tutorial there for me of some suggestions of what to do to prevent this in the future (have a firewall, anti-virus software.....all of which I already have).
I looked at my Inbox, and there were a few e-mails that were the "bounce back" type: you know, return to sender/ undeliverable. I opened them, and they were some kind of SPAM e-mails with some kind of online dating offer. They were sent "To" some names/ addresses of people that are prior addressees of mine (about maybe 10 names/ addresses).
I checked my Sent Bin, and there were just two (2) e-mails sent (with those 10 or so names).
I checked all my various boxes/ folders, and nothing appears to have been messed with (I have things saved in Drafts, and even customized/ created a few personal folders).
What do you think? Was this some "bot" program that got into my account?
Or, if it was an actual person, was it a "brute force" attack to get in? And if so, why just send out two e-mails with an on-line dating offer? And not mess with any of my other e-mails there by deleting them?
And how did Microsoft/ Hotmail know my account had been compromised? Do you think there were multiple attempts before they finally got in?
Over 15 years with this account.....and this is a first for me
So.....I'm just curious as to "how"; any ideas?
Pez
I've had the same Hotmail account for something like 15+ years.
The other day, I typed in my e-mail address & password, and this message comes up that my account may have been accessed without my knowledge (in other words: hacked!!).
At first, I thought this "message" was some kind of "hoax", that I mis-typed something wrong, and was redirected to some phony phishing site.
So I cleared my browser, closed it out, and even launched a different browser (Firefox instead of IE), but the same message popped up. I had a security code then sent to me (choices of an alternate e-mail address I had provided.....phone number....text message....).
Anyway, I logged in, changed my password, and there was a tutorial there for me of some suggestions of what to do to prevent this in the future (have a firewall, anti-virus software.....all of which I already have).
I looked at my Inbox, and there were a few e-mails that were the "bounce back" type: you know, return to sender/ undeliverable. I opened them, and they were some kind of SPAM e-mails with some kind of online dating offer. They were sent "To" some names/ addresses of people that are prior addressees of mine (about maybe 10 names/ addresses).
I checked my Sent Bin, and there were just two (2) e-mails sent (with those 10 or so names).
I checked all my various boxes/ folders, and nothing appears to have been messed with (I have things saved in Drafts, and even customized/ created a few personal folders).
What do you think? Was this some "bot" program that got into my account?
Or, if it was an actual person, was it a "brute force" attack to get in? And if so, why just send out two e-mails with an on-line dating offer? And not mess with any of my other e-mails there by deleting them?
And how did Microsoft/ Hotmail know my account had been compromised? Do you think there were multiple attempts before they finally got in?
Over 15 years with this account.....and this is a first for me
So.....I'm just curious as to "how"; any ideas?
Pez
. 
