Someone has hacked my account and using it

Question

My email account has been hacked and they are using it to send emails I have changed my password multiple times and they still gain access

Answer 1

Hi, I'm John! I will help you with this.

The strange outgoing emails you saw could either be delayed messages from when your account was compromised, or it may mean the attacker still has access.

To be safe, I recommend the following steps:

Check your account rules and forwarding settings, hackers create rules that automatically forward or delete emails. You can do this in Outlook settings under Mail > Rules and Forwarding. https://support.microsoft.com/office/manage-email-messages-by-using-rules-in-outlook-c24f5dea-9465-4df4-ad17-a50704d66c59

Just to be safe, I’d recommend to sign out everywhere. Visit: https://account.live.com/proofs/manage/additional Scroll down to Sign me out and select "Sign me out".

And changing your password again and enabling two-step verification if you haven’t already. This will add an extra layer of security to prevent future unauthorized access.

If you notice anything unusual in your account settings or purchase history, you might also want to check the Microsoft account security page https://account.microsoft.com/security to review recent activity.

"How to help keep your Microsoft account secure" https://support.microsoft.com/account-billing/how-to-help-keep-your-microsoft-account-secure-628538c2-7006-33bb-5ef4-c917657362b9

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I really hope this information is helpful! Let me know if you have any further questions or concerns.

Regards,

John J.D.

Answer 2

If your email account has been hacked and the hacker continues to gain access even after you've changed your password, it's crucial to take additional steps to secure your account. Here are some recommended actions:

1. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): If you haven't done so already, enable 2FA for your account. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification when logging in.
2. Check for Suspicious Activity: Review your account settings for any unauthorized changes, such as forwarding rules or linked accounts that you did not set up. Remove any suspicious rules that may have been created by the hacker.
3. Sign Out of All Sessions: Use the option to sign out of all active sessions to disconnect any unauthorized access. This can usually be found in your account security settings.
4. Run Security Scans: Run a full antivirus scan on all devices you use to access your email. Ensure that your antivirus software is up-to-date to detect any malware that may be compromising your security.
5. Contact Support: If you continue to face issues, consider reaching out to Microsoft Support for assistance. They may have additional tools to help verify your identity and secure your account.
6. Inform Your Contacts: Notify your contacts that your account has been compromised to prevent them from falling victim to phishing attempts from your account.

By following these steps, you can enhance the security of your email account and prevent further unauthorized access.

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References:

• Respond to a compromised cloud email account
• Common symptoms of a compromised Microsoft 365 email account