Helping people with computers... one answer at a time.
If you try to login to your Hotmail account and the password won't work and your secret questions are all different, it's pretty clear what's happened.
HI, MY PASSWORD HAS BEEN THE SAME FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS AND SUDDENLY I GET A MESSAGE THAT SAYS PASSWORD INCORRECT,WHAT THE HELL? AFTER A FEW ATTEMPTS IT BLOCKED ALL ATTEMPTS AND THE QUESTION IT ASKS IS NOT WHAT I FILLED IN WHEN I SIGHNED UP.IT ASKS ME FOR MY FIRST DOGS NAME AND I KNOW THAT I DID NOT FILL THAT IN, I DO KNOW WHAT SECRET QUESTION I AM SUPPOSED TO BE ASKED. WHAT DO I DO OR DO I JUST GO TO G MAIL AS MOST OF MY FRIENDS DID WHEN HOTMAIL STARTED WITH THEIR NONSENSE?!?!?
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I get this often enough that I want to use this question as an example and provide a summary article for the situation.
This has nothing to do with Hotmail's "nonsense" at all.
It's pretty clear what's happened here, so I'll point you to a number of my previous articles that all might apply in your situation.
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Your account has been hacked, plain and simple.
Someone guessed or got your password, went in and changed your password and all the other information associated with your account.
The fact that you had the same password for 10 years didn't help. That often makes it easier for the hacker to get your passwords. If you use that same password on other accounts, now might be a good time to change it everywhere.
I'll point you to these articles for things to do if there's any hope of recovering your account, and perhaps more importantly, some lessons to learn since I really don't expect your account to be recoverable.
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Would you please recover my password? My account has been hacked or I've forgotten it. The steps to take when your account has been hacked.
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How do I contact Windows Live Hotmail customer service? There is a help forum with official support from Microsoft. I have no idea whether or not they can help in your situation, but they're the ultimate reference point.
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Someone's sending email that looks like it's from me to my contacts, what can I do? A very common result of having your account hacked.
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Is changing my password enough? In a word: no. Not even close. If you do get your account back, or if you suspect you've been hacked, you need to do much more than change a password.
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How do I keep from getting my account hacked? Perhaps the most definitive guide to preventing this in the first place.
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Internet Safety: How do I keep my computer safe on the internet? All aspects of computer security actually come into play to protect your email account. Make sure you're safe when you connect to the internet.
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Are free email services worth it? Remember, you get what you pay for.
And finally, I'd recommend you consider reading this article as well: WHY IS EVERYONE ON THE INTERNET SO GRUMPY?
Having your email account hacked is a pain and can result in quite a bit of inconvenience and data loss. Make sure that you do what you need to protect yourself.
And when it happens, if you must place blame, place it appropriately.
This was not Hotmail's fault.
Article C4086 - January 12, 2010 « »
Leo A. Notenboom has been playing with computers since he
was required to take a programming class in 1976. An 18 year career as a programmer at Microsoft soon followed.
After "retiring" in 2001, Leo started Ask Leo! in 2003 as a place for answers
to common computer and technical questions. More about Leo.
April 11, 2012 2:27 PM
This has happened to me twice with relatively new accounts. I never really send emails, so I mostly use it for verification emails and such. I had only logged into both accounts a handful of times in the 2-3 months I had them, and then one day it stops accepting my password. I have about 7 passwords that I use on different things, and I go through all of them with caps on and caps off, making sure everything is as it should be, but it still doesn't accept the passwords. Also, when I look at my security question, on both accounts it asked for my favourite historical person, which I did not put. Also, while this may seem like a hacker, he would have to be following my accounts specifically, seeing as how he changed both the questions to the same thing. Also, I use a family PC, and nobody else's emails or accounts have been hacked. I guess it could be someone I know messing with me, but as far as I know they have literally no knowledge of my email address, as I never speak of it at all. I think it's Hotmail's hijinks, but maybe I just want someone to blame
April 18, 2012 9:41 AM
Hello
I have problem with my password. I can't log in because my mail is lock and I don't know why. I follow the steps but I don't have another email to change password.. Can you help me?
December 23, 2012 2:15 AM
Leo you are no help to me. I put my problems down to hotmail...
23-Dec-2012
February 25, 2013 4:50 PM
WRONG! I am logged in to Hotmail. I go to account settings --> Change password. I enter THE SAME password for "current password", and I enter a VALID new password (TWICE). It then say's he password is incorrect. IT'S A HOTMAIL PROBLEM!!!
March 16, 2013 11:33 AM
My hotmail account won't accept my password and I know it's right.and I can't get mail cause it always says connection server failed,can you please HELP!