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T-g260's avatar
T-g260
Copper Contributor
Sep 14, 2023

Multiple unsuccessful login attempts on hotmail

Hello. I have an old email (@hotmail) which keeps showing me unsuccessful login attempts from different places within the United States and even other countries. I have activated the two-factor authentication, the authentication app from Microsoft, and anything I could do to prevent it from being hacked. But it seems like the person is trying a brute force attack and they’re not stopping. It’s been going on for over a month now. Is there anything else I can do besides deleting the account? I thought about deleting it, but it takes 30/60 days to actually delete the account and I am afraid it won’t work because of this person trying to get in every day. Thanks in advance.

5 Replies

  • Diane_Poremsky_MVP's avatar
    Diane_Poremsky_MVP
    MVP
    Sep 15, 2023
    You can add a new alias to the account and set it as primary. Do not Remove the current address - you will never get it back.

    Then at the bottom of the dialog, click the link to change sign in preferences. Uncheck the account so it can't be used to sign in. You need ot use the new alias (or other aliases on the account) to sign in.
    • jacqkat's avatar
      jacqkat
      Copper Contributor
      May 24, 2025

      I'm not savvy.  How do you do that if you can't get into the account.  PLEASE more detail.

      I've had it since very early 2000s and so many of my billing accounts go there.

      I've changed password probably 12+ times, each comes back too many attempts even after leaving it for a week.

      Thank you

       

      • Diane_Poremsky_MVP's avatar
        Diane_Poremsky_MVP
        MVP
        May 27, 2025

        You need to get into the account to do that.

         

        If the hackers took over your account, you may not be able to get into it.  You can try the forms, but if they are actively using the account, they are likely to block it or delete your address. 

         

        To recover your account:  https://support.microsoft.com/help/17875/microsoft-account-reset-or-recover-password 

        If you no longer have your security accounts, you need to use this guided recovery form: https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=2242650 

        You need to fill out the form twice a day, every day, until you get it back. 

        Only you can reset your password and make security changes to your account. Support is unable to assist. 

         

         

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