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

Comment from Neelam kaur on 2011-12-19

2011-12-19T16:27:24Z

hi there, i have signed into my different hotmail account and its sayin its been blocked, because of spamming, however i hav got personal information in there, so how do i unblock it, thankyou

This article discusses recovery options for the various ways that Hotmail accounts can be lost or compromised and I believe it applies here: What are my Lost Hotmail Account and Password Recovery Options?

19-Dec-2011

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A comment on: My Windows Live Hotmail contact list has been hacked, how do I recover?

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Comment from Liz Case on 2011-11-22

2011-11-23T04:22:35Z

Leo, I've now found a solution to the hacked Contacts list. In the abbreviated "Contacts" list that pops up when I start a new email and click the "To:" button, I had found "Adult" contacts added to the end of the list, and I couldn't find any way to delete them. Finally, I noticed that in the Hotmail left-hand sidebar under "Messenger," there was a message, "3 invitations." I clicked on that message, and was taken to a screen that showed several "friend requests" and below those, several "invitations" to join "Groups." Lo and behold, those groups had the same names as the bogus entries on my abbreviated Contacts list! And when I clicked to refuse the invitation, hooray, they disappeared from the abbreviated Contacts list! (They had never shown on the contacts list that appears when you click the sidebar option.) After refusing all of them, I went into my Profile (click on Profile in the upper right-hand corner of the screen, right under your name and beside "sign out.") I changed my profile options to the most private settings, and I hope that will prevent future unwanted appearings.

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Comment from Vincent Braniff on 2011-10-26

2011-10-26T18:42:05Z

My Hotmail account was closed and I've lost all my contacts. But on my other computer I came across this file of contacts with a ’windowslivefile’ extension. Is there any way of accessing these since I think they are the email addresses of my lost contacts.

If you can help it would be greatly appreciated.

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Comment from Bernie on 2011-10-21

2011-10-21T22:20:45Z

I changed my password, however in the alternate emails their is an address which is NOT mine and it will not allow me to delete it. It is {email address removed}. How can I get this alternate removed?

This article discusses recovery options for the various ways that Hotmail accounts can be lost or compromised: What are my Lost Hotmail Account and Password Recovery Options?

22-Oct-2011

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Comment from Amy Mireles on 2011-10-14

2011-10-14T22:53:02Z

I've changed my password, but after I changed it, I still received a SPAM email from myself. I don't know what happened. How can I know my email is safe after it's been hacked?

Getting spam from yourself does not mean you've been hacked - more on that here: Why am I getting spam from myself?. If you have been hacked you may need to change more than your password: Is changing my password enough?

15-Oct-2011

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A comment on: My Windows Live Hotmail contact list has been hacked, how do I recover?

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Comment from Liz Case on 2011-10-13

2011-10-13T22:03:04Z

My situation is the same as Sherion's , above. When I start a "new" email and click the "To" button to have the abbreviated contact list pop up, at the end of the list are several "adult" entries. But when I click on "Contacts" on the left-hand bar, the entries don't appear, so I can't delete them. A couple of new ones have turned up recently, too. How can these be removed? Will a professional be able to "scrub" them out of my hard drive? Thanks --

When they're displayed simply down-arrow to select one, and then press the delete key. Repeat for all offenders.

14-Oct-2011

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A comment on: My Windows Live Hotmail contact list has been hacked, how do I recover?

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Comment from J on 2011-10-08

2011-10-08T08:47:02Z

Leo,
Most hacked Hotmail happens not because their password was hacked but because the hacker sends an e-mail to the user that comes from a friend or contact persons they knew. Obviously this wont be picked up by spam filters nor does it look suspicious if it comes from someone you know. Once the e-mail is opened, it contains a worm/virus that not only gives the hacker access to your pass word, but attacks the users contacts directory. Once hacked, it sends out an e-mail to everyone in your contact list putting your e-mail address as the sender so your friends think you are sending them an e-mail. Little do they know the e-mail is from a hacker and the worm has now hacked into their e-mail account. MSN has done noting to help this spreading problem. I have been hacked twice now this time the hacker gained access to my Google accounts and it has created a nightmare for me. My suggestion DO NOT TYPE IN ANY CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION IN ON ANY INTERNET SERVICE. Keep it off the net if you want to stay safe.

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A comment on: My Windows Live Hotmail contact list has been hacked, how do I recover?

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Comment from Sherion on 2011-07-06

2011-07-06T15:44:48Z

I read this and changed my settings. Thanks for the help! I have a question about my contacts though. Whenever I send an email to a group of people from my contact list, a couple of sex email addresses appear on there too. But when I look on my cantact list to delete them, I can't find them. Is there anything I can do about it?

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Comment from steve on 2011-06-02

2011-06-02T22:51:33Z

i have be blocked from my account and every time i go on there to resend it it wornt let me put in my new email address what do i do please help

This article discusses recovery options for the various ways that Hotmail accounts can be lost or compromised: What are my Lost Hotmail Account and Password Recovery Options?

03-Jun-2011

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A comment on: My Windows Live Hotmail contact list has been hacked, how do I recover?

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Comment from Sarah on 2011-01-18

2011-01-18T16:51:20Z

Hi, my hotmail settings all appear to be ok but it appears to be sending dodgy random emails with web links on to all of my contact list. It's driving me and my friends mad. Please advise if this is different to whats been mentioned above! thanks

This article discusses recovery options for the various ways that Hotmail accounts can be lost or compromised: What are my Lost Hotmail Account and Password Recovery Options?

19-Jan-2011

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A comment on: My Windows Live Hotmail contact list has been hacked, how do I recover?

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Comment from Brittney on 2010-12-03

2010-12-03T14:45:10Z

I am in my email, trying to change everything you said, but the hacker has added an "unique ID" (which is listed directly under my windows live ID in the manage account tab) and it won't let me change it. The hacker also added an email for password reset and I tried to look it up on yahoo and they're saying that ID hasn't been taken yet. Are there any other options? And yes, I changed my password a few days ago. Thanks in advance!

This article discusses recovery options for the various ways that Hotmail accounts can be lost or compromised: What are my Lost Hotmail Account and Password Recovery Options?

04-Dec-2010

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Comment from sharon edison on 2010-12-02

2010-12-02T13:16:34Z

not one antimal or antivirus or what have you i used found anything.....one at leasst said it would only check wind live...no others what good are they then

That's because an email account hack as described in this article is typically NOT a virus or malware. Rather it's a hacker simply gaining access to your account.

02-Dec-2010

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Comment from Jesse Merritt on 2010-11-29

2010-11-29T20:03:03Z

I am disgusted to find that someone has accessed my hotmail address book and sent the following advert to everybody in my address book: How to protect my hotmail contact list

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Comment from thenudehamster on 2010-11-24

2010-11-24T18:50:01Z

Strikes me that either Hotmail is an unusually easy system to hack, or, more likely, it hasn't been hacked at all, but that these sufferers have managed to acquire one of the multitude of viruses that spread through email and address books. If nothing other than reports of spurious ads seems to have happened, then I am more suspicious that this is in fact an infection, not a hack. That reports of this kind are becoming so prevalent is one reason I will never rely on a purely web-based email system. I have always used a dedicated, protected, email client (currently Thunderbird) with a proper email account, and I have never had this kind of problem.
I would suggest that, as well as carrying out all the recommended actions of password changing etc., sufferers also run a full deep-scan virus and malware check.

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Comment from Amanullah Noori on 2010-11-16

2010-11-16T19:32:01Z

My hotmail account was hacked today. They have changed my password and secret question so I cant get in and change anything. They sent an email to all of my contacts asking if they could send 500$. I responded to them from a different email account and they have given me details of a person to send money to via western union funds transfer so I am off to the police to see if they can do anything but they didn't help me so can you please do some thing for me. I have alots of emails from him or her that send me to my gmail account and I can send you as a prove if you needed for making sure that is my email account and please do some thing for me.

There's nothing I can do. Please read this article which discusses your recovery options for the various ways that Hotmail accounts can be lost or compromised: What are my Lost Hotmail Account and Password Recovery Options?

17-Nov-2010

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Comment from Diana on 2010-11-14

2010-11-14T14:59:59Z

My email account has just been hacked and some friends have been sent spam emails from "me." I've followed all your advice above, but I'm worried that the hacker will now have access to all my online memberships to things like online shopping sites and supermarket accounts etc because I've used the same password for everything. Do I need to change my password for all my other accounts as well (like facebook, amazon etc)?

Thanks

I would strongly recommend that you do so. This is one reason why having the same password for everything is such a bad idea.

14-Nov-2010

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Comment from David on 2010-11-04

2010-11-05T05:04:49Z

Hello Leo. Thank the lord for saints like you to help the less computer able muppets like myself out there.
I too think i have had my Hotmail compromised; lots of undeliverable messages in my inbox made me check my sent messages and shortened links to sites selling viagra were sent to all in my contact list along with other contacts that are not in my list.
I have now changed all the details outlined by yourself and are now waiting to see if this has rectified the problem.
Is there anyway the Hotmail staff can help with this issue? I know alot of it comes down to regularly changing your passwords which many of us don't do quite as often as we should, but i am sure that Hotmail could see who is hacking its users and more than likely can see how they are doing it and therefore advise us of counter measures in response. The very least they should do is alert us to the problem. As far as i can see it is only a problem suffered by Hotmail users. It may be free but would you pay for it???

You can try contacting Hotmail customer service, but in all honesty from what I hear from people I wouldn't expect much help.

05-Nov-2010

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Comment from janis on 2010-10-23

2010-10-23T11:15:32Z

I just went through the whole email password recovery thing with Hotmail and thought I was out of the woods. But the hacker address keeps coming back in and force forwarding my email. Have deleted it twice but still comes back. What can I do?

My guess is that you changed only your password. That's not enough. Please read: Is changing my password enough? (Short answer: no.)

24-Oct-2010

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Comment from imorgan67 on 2010-08-27

2010-08-27T23:42:52Z

Hotmail account was hacked and everyone in my contact folder has received an email about how I'm overseas, flat broke and to please send money. I no longer have access to my Hotmail account as the hacker has changed the password. I've initiated the account validation/password recovery process but how will I know if and when problem is resolved. Should I just consider this email account toast and get on with my life?

If you don't hear anything from Hotmail in 48 hours or so, then yes - in your shoes I'd consider the account lost forever.

28-Aug-2010

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Comment from Nicole on 2010-07-06

2010-07-07T00:34:46Z

Yesterday my account sent out a spam mail for some laptop.I myself never open links from that type of mail let alone send it. Today I was on for a lil bit then when I went back I could no longer get in.It was saying wrong password ugh. I want it back!

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Comment from gill on 2010-06-30

2010-06-30T13:00:07Z

cant recover/get into my hotmail emails - wont let me change password etc and just keeps coming up with Error 999 - no help from windows live etc - just dont know what to do, so extremely upset and annoyed

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Comment from Teri on 2010-05-19

2010-05-19T19:44:59Z

I heard that this had to do with a breach in Facebook. It's happened to some other folks I know. Your contact list is used to distribute e-mails about on-line pharmacies.

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Comment from Rizwan Habib on 2010-05-16

2010-05-16T08:21:28Z

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.

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Comment from Rizwan Habib on 2010-05-16

2010-05-16T08:16:49Z

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

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Comment from Carter on 2010-05-12

2010-05-12T23:47:02Z

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.

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Comment from Skip ENGLISH on 2010-05-06

2010-05-06T21:26:29Z

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.

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Comment from Robbie on 2010-04-25

2010-04-26T02:30:53Z

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.

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Comment from Nito on 2010-04-10

2010-04-10T22:50:25Z

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

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Comment from Weeping Willow on 2010-04-07

2010-04-08T04:26:33Z

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

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Comment from rachel adams on 2010-01-13

2010-01-13T21:49:55Z

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

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Comment from Neil on 2009-11-26

2009-11-26T15:10:17Z

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?

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Comment from David Shapiro on 2009-05-19

2009-05-19T16:53:34Z

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.

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A comment on: My Windows Live Hotmail contact list has been hacked, how do I recover?

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