Even if you are very cautious while using MSN and have advanced antivirus programs, it is still possible for your account to get hacked. A hacked MSN account can be very frustrating – not to mention dangerous as the hacker may access your personal information and use it maliciously. Here is what you should do if your MSN account is hacked.
Install or Update Your Antivirus Program
Hackers usually find their way into your computer through viruses. They unleash a virus which changes your security settings or makes holes which they can slip through. Viruses usually enter your computer when you download something from the net, even if it seems harmless like a new emoticon. Before you take any steps to fix your MSN account, it is important that your antivirus program is updated. If you don’t have an antivirus program, then it is time to install one! If you fix your compromised account, it is just likely to get hacked again if you don’t fix the virus which caused the problem.
If Your Account is Blocked
If MSN suspects that your account has been hacked (such as if the hacker uses your account to send out a bunch of spam), they will block your account. You can usually recover your account by resetting your password. When you do this, you will be prompted to answer the security questions that you typed in when you created the account. If you can’t unblock your account just by resetting your password, then you can have a code sent to your mobile phone. The final resort for unblocking your MSN account is to contact tech support. They will need a lot of personal information to make sure that you are really the owner of the account.
If You Can Still Access Your Account
If you think that your account has been hacked but you can still access it, then you should immediately change your password and also all of your security questions. If MSN isn’t allowing you to change your password due to the security threat, then you can attempt to reset your password instead.
Your MSN password should always be at least 8 characters long and ideally a combination of letters and numbers. Never use any whole words for your password or anything which is identifiable to you, like your name or birthday. You also want to make sure that your new password is adequately different from the password you used before.
Worried about ID Theft?
If you store personal information on the internet, it can be hijacked by hackers and used for identity theft. To see whether your ID has been stolen, you can contact these authorities:
- Your credit card provider: Let your credit card provider know that your account has been hacked and they can check to see if there is any suspicious activity and make efforts to stop it.
- The Federal Trade Commission: If you live in the US, you can report the ID theft to this authority.
- The Anti-Phishing Working Group: This authority can be contacted via email at spam@uce.gov.