If you are unable to sign into your Outlook or Hotmail account because it has been hijacked by cybercriminals, this article will help your recover it. Cyber criminals use phishing scams or fake email messages to trick potential victims into visiting fake or phishing websites looking like the legitimate ones. Once potential victims attempt to sign into the phishing website thinking they are signing into the legitimate website, their credentials (usernames and passwords) will be sent to the cybercriminals. The cyber criminals will use the stolen credentials to gain access to their potential victims' accounts, hijack them and use them fraudulently.
Instructions for Recovering a Hacked Outlook or Hotmail Account
- Go to https://login.live.com
- Enter your email address and click the "Next"button.
- Click the "Forgot my password" link and follow the instructions to recover your account.
To protect against phishing scams, Outlook or Hotmail users should never click on a link to sign into their accounts, they should instead go directly to https://login.live.com or use the Outlook or Hotmail mobile app.
Also, Outlook or Hotmail users may add two-step verification for extra security. Two-step verification is another layer of security that uses your password plus a code to verify your identity when they sign in to their accounts on a new, unrecognized device for the first time. Outlook or Hotmail will send their cell phone a code by text or phone call that only they will have access to.
Click here to learn more about Outlook or Hotmail Two-step verification or authentication and how to add to your account.