My Windows Live Hotmail contact list has been hacked, how do I recover?

The exact same thing happened to my Hotmail account a couple of days ago. A phishing email was sent out to my contacts. I immediately checked the Hotmail inbox and saw some returned messages that were sent out to invalid addresses. All of my contacts were erased and the phishing email had become my vacation response.

Everything else looked OK in the account, but I did everything that Leo recommended. I stopped regularly using this Hotmail account many years ago because of the huge volume of spam.

I'm involved with IM and on mmore than one occasion I've been asked for my password to my hotmail/live account presumably to email their message/offer. I have always declined even though I do trust the people involved but it brings the question to mind if they can email my whole contact list how do I mail that way, without having the insanely long "mailed to" list which looks and will set off the spam police?

I had my email hacked into and cant get into my email, they changed my question, my friends got emails from my email asking for money

That is correct. Your account is most likely gone forever. Read this article: Hotmail says my password is incorrect, but I know it's right. What do I do?

14-Jan-2010

My hotmail account has been compromised. I cannot log in nor can I get any help from the hotmail people. Is it possible to reinstate my hotmail account or have I lost all of the contact info etc. forever? Please help. You seem to be the go to person for all problems. thnx.

If Hotmail has been of no help, I know of no way to get the account back. This is one of the many reasons I so strongly recommend agaist free accounts for important stuff.

08-Apr-2010

Leo
Great radio show by the way.
I have been suspecting for some time about my Win Live mail being compromised. Last week I received an E-M from a friend in Cancun, Mex warning me to be cautious with my messaging & e-mails; He said that He could see my conversations and E-Mls. Am I doomed? Do I continue using MSN / Win Live site?
What's at risk? What did actually happened?
Did my friend compromised his account & in return He was thrown a "hook" from a hacker, hoping he would grab it?

No idea. Your friend would have to describe better exactly how he can do what he claims. (And I don't have a radio show. Different Leo I'm Leo Notenboom.)

12-Apr-2010

Just happened to me. Thanks for the article I have done everything you suggested.I guess I always knew the password was weak but didn't do anything, now it is strong and I will change it frequently.

I have been turning in circles since my hotmail was hacked I have applied your suggestions and will wait for further outcome. THANKS can't be said any better.

Can't get into hotmail account. It has been taken over, tried to contact hotmail to obtain person to return my email account. I think person has changed all my information since I'm not receiving message from my alternate account. Need help on next step.

please inform how i can recover my send emails i didn't delete my self. so please help how i can get back i need all. waiting for your reply

how i can recover all my send emails in windows live so please help me in this issue i need all mails back in same folder so please inform me, this emails i didn't delete my self i think some one hack this account i change my password, so please help in this matter kind regards.