Unauthorized email access

Question

I suspect my Hotmail account has been hacked. got message emails are being forwarded. dig deeper and I see an unauthorized laptop on the device screen

Answer 1

Take these actions immediately:

1. Check recent sign-ins
   • For a personal Microsoft account such as Hotmail, go to the Recent activity page.
   • Review the last 30 days of sign-ins, devices, apps, and locations.
   • If an item is unfamiliar, use This wasn't me where that option appears in the Unusual activity section.
2. Change the password after scanning the PC
   • Before changing the password, run a full malware scan on the PC.
   • In Windows Security, open Virus and threat protection > Scan options > Full scan > Scan now.
   • After the scan completes, change the Microsoft account password and use a strong password.
   • If sign-in fails, use the password reset flow.
3. Review Outlook.com mail settings for attacker changes
   • Check Forwarding, Rules, and connected account settings in Outlook.com.
   • Remove any forwarding addresses or rules that were not created intentionally, especially anything that forwards, redirects, deletes, archives, or moves mail.
   • Also check automatic replies.
4. Review security settings
   • Go to the Security settings page and update security settings.
   • Remove unknown trusted devices.
   • Verify recovery methods and other security info are still correct.
5. If an unknown laptop appears on the device screen
   • Treat that as possible unauthorized access.
   • Change the password immediately after the malware scan.
   • Remove unknown trusted devices from Security settings.
6. Use Microsoft account recovery help if needed
   • If the account is already compromised or access is blocked, use the Microsoft sign-in helper tool. It can guide to self-help steps or offer the chance to talk to an agent.
7. Harden the account after recovery
   • Add alternate security info such as a secondary email address and mobile phone number.
   • Keep the operating system updated.
   • Keep antivirus software enabled and updated.

If emails are still being forwarded after the password change, the most likely remaining causes in the available guidance are mailbox rules, forwarding, connected accounts, or changed security info that still needs to be cleaned up.

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• How to recover a hacked or compromised Microsoft account | Microsoft Support
• Help protect your Outlook.com email account | Microsoft Support
• Check the recent sign-in activity for your Microsoft account
• What is the Recent activity page? | Microsoft Support
• My Hotmail was Hacked and Mail is being forwarded to unknown email addresses, even though no mail forwarding options have been set up in my Settings. - Microsoft Q&A
• What happens if there's an unusual sign-in to your account | Microsoft Support