A hacked Microsoft account can have serious consequences – from stolen personal data to the takeover of associated services such as OneDrive, Outlook, Teams and Xbox. By taking the right steps, however, you can quickly regain control and make life more difficult for hackers. Find out how to restore your account and prevent future attacks in the following sections.
A tip: With the Avira Password Manager, you can create secure and individualised passwords for all your online accounts. This way, your other accounts remain protected even if one is hacked, as each has its own strong password.
What to do if your Microsoft account has been hacked?
Act quickly if your Microsoft account has been hacked. These steps will help you regain access and secure your account against account hijacking:
Check and clean your device
If cybercriminals have gained access to your device to hack your Microsoft account, they may have installed malware to do it again. In this case, changing your password will not protect you in the long term. You should therefore run a virus scan first.
Immediately reset the Microsoft account password
After malicious programmes have been removed, change your password immediately. You will find the option to do this in your account settings.
If the hackers have already changed your password and you are unable to log in, you will need to recover your account. The process is simple and works on any device.
A secure password consists of at least twelve characters and a combination of numbers, upper and lower case letters and special characters. Such a password is difficult to remember. It is best generated randomly. You should also avoid using one password for different accounts.
A password manager helps you to create and save complex passwords. On the other hand, you only need to remember the master password for this programme. This allows you to easily manage passwords and prevent a leaked password from jeopardising other accounts. Set it up to create your new Microsoft password.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Activate two-factor authentication for added protection. Attackers will then need not only your password but also a code that you will receive via SMS or app. This method makes it more difficult for hackers to access your account, even if they have stolen your login credentials.
To enable two-factor authentication, go to your account settings:
Security > Advanced security options
In this section, it is also recommended to perform the following actions.
Update security info
Remove any unfamiliar phone numbers or email addresses and add your current, verified information.
Sign out of all linked devices and services
If you are still able to sign in, sign out of all linked devices and services. Click on Sign out everywhere to be signed out of all devices using your account within 24 hours.
The exception: If you own an Xbox, you will need to sign out separately from there.
Revoke app permissions in “My Apps”
As a user of a work, school, or university account, you may often be prompted to grant permissions to apps that store your account information.
Go to the Apps & Services portal and select Manage Permissions for each app. Here, you can revoke all or specific permissions, such as access to your calendar or contacts.
Note: Removing permissions may cause issues with the functionality of the app.
How to recognise if your Microsoft account has been hacked?
A compromised account often shows clear signs:
- Sign-in issues: Your password no longer works, or your account has been locked.
- Unusual changes: Your security information, such as alternative email addresses or phone numbers, has been modified.
- Unusual sign-in activities: You see logins from unknown devices or locations in your sign-in history.
Go to Account > Security > View my sign-in activity.
If you see sign-ins that weren’t made by you, your account may have been hacked. - Spam messages: Emails are being sent from your account that you didn’t compose. If you notice such unexpected activities, it’s likely that your email account has been hacked.To limit such activities in Outlook, use these settings:
- Under Email > Forwarding and IMAP, check if automatic forwarding is enabled (or if someone else has done it). If so, turn it off.
- Under Email > Rules, review whether your automation settings are still correct, or if any have been altered or added.
- Microsoft alerts: You’ll receive notifications about suspicious activities.
Take these alerts seriously. Act immediately to regain control of your account.
How to recover your hacked Microsoft account?
If you’re unable to access your account, follow these steps to recover it:
- Verification via phone number:If you provided a phone number during account setup, you can request a verification code to unlock your account.
- Use the account recovery form:Use Microsoft’s account recovery form and provide as many details as possible. This includes:
- Previous passwords
- Linked email addresses or phone numbers
- Information about linked services (e.g., Outlook or Teams)
As your request will be reviewed by a support agent, it may take up to two days to receive a response.
- Contact Microsoft Support:If the automated steps are not enough, contact Microsoft Support Have all relevant information ready to speed up the process.
How to prevent your Microsoft account from being hacked?
Preventive measures are the best defence. In addition to your new strong password and enabling two-factor authentication, you should take the following steps to enhance the security of your account over the long term:
Be vigilant against suspicious messages
Phishing is one of the most common methods used to steal credentials. Do not open suspicious links or attachments, and never share personal information, even if the message appears to be from a trusted source.
Keep your system up to date
Regularly install updates for Windows and all Microsoft services. Security updates close known vulnerabilities and help protect your account from attacks.
Use comprehensive security solutions
Modern security software protects you from malware, phishing attempts, and other threats. It detects suspicious activity early and blocks attacks before they can cause harm.
No compromises: Protect your Microsoft account
A hacked Microsoft account can have serious consequences. However, by taking quick actions such as resetting your password, enabling two-factor authentication, and thoroughly reviewing your account activity, you can minimise the damage.
To protect your account in the long term, use tools like Avira Free Security with the integrated password manager. Not only will you increase security, but you’ll also make protecting your digital identity easy and efficient.
Stay vigilant, secure your account regularly, and protect your data before it falls into the wrong hands.
