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Hotmail accounts 'posted online' | Hotmail accounts 'posted online' |
(41 minutes later) | |
Thousands of Hotmail passwords have been hacked and posted online, BBC News has learnt. | |
Microsoft, which owns the popular web-based e-mail system, said that it was aware of the claims and that it was "investigating the situation". | |
BBC News has seen a list of more than 10,000 accounts, which technology blog Neowin.net said had been posted online. | BBC News has seen a list of more than 10,000 accounts, which technology blog Neowin.net said had been posted online. |
The blog suggested the accounts had been hacked or had been collected as part of a phishing scheme. | The blog suggested the accounts had been hacked or had been collected as part of a phishing scheme. |
Phishing involves using fake websites to lure people into revealing personal details such as bank accounts or login names and passwords. | Phishing involves using fake websites to lure people into revealing personal details such as bank accounts or login names and passwords. |
'Rapid response' | 'Rapid response' |
Neowin claims the details were posted on 1 October to pastebin.com, a website commonly used by developers to share code. | Neowin claims the details were posted on 1 October to pastebin.com, a website commonly used by developers to share code. |
Although the details have since been removed, BBC News and Neowin has seen a list of 10,027 names beginning with the letters A and B. | Although the details have since been removed, BBC News and Neowin has seen a list of 10,027 names beginning with the letters A and B. |
"[We] can confirm the accounts are genuine and most appear to be based in Europe," Tom Warren, a neowin blogger, wrote on the site. | "[We] can confirm the accounts are genuine and most appear to be based in Europe," Tom Warren, a neowin blogger, wrote on the site. |
The list included details of Microsoft's Windows Live Hotmail accounts with email addresses ending hotmail.com, msn.com and live.com. | The list included details of Microsoft's Windows Live Hotmail accounts with email addresses ending hotmail.com, msn.com and live.com. |
Microsoft said it had "been made aware of the claims that Windows Live IDs and passwords have been made available on the web". | Microsoft said it had "been made aware of the claims that Windows Live IDs and passwords have been made available on the web". |
"We're actively investigating the situation and will take appropriate steps as rapidly as possible," a spokesperson said. | "We're actively investigating the situation and will take appropriate steps as rapidly as possible," a spokesperson said. |
Neowin said that it recommended Windows Live Hotmail users to change their "password and security question immediately". | Neowin said that it recommended Windows Live Hotmail users to change their "password and security question immediately". |
Hotmail is currently the largest web-based email service. | Hotmail is currently the largest web-based email service. |
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