Redmond (ip-192.com): Hackers have exposed more than 10,000 usernames and passwords for Windows Live Hotmail accounts last week, according to a report by Neowin.net. The blogging site reports that an anonymous user posted details of the accounts on October 1 at pastebin.com, a site commonly used by developers to share code snippets. The site claims that it has seen part of the list posted and “… can confirm the accounts are genuine and most appear to be based in Europe. The list details over 10,000 accounts starting from A through to B, suggesting there could be additional lists.” Accounts with domains of @hotmail.com, @msn.com and @live.com were included in the list.
Microsoft requires a hotmail account to access a wide range of online properties from partner log-ins to beta test sites. BBC News reports that Microsoft is currently "investigating the situation and will take appropriate steps as rapidly as possible." A spokesperson for the Redmond based company confirmed “…that several thousand Windows Live Hotmail customers’ credentials were exposed on a third-party site due to a likely phishing scheme. Upon learning of the issue, we immediately requested that the credentials be removed and launched an investigation to determine the impact to customers. As part of that investigation, we determined that this was not a breach of internal Microsoft data and initiated our standard process of working to help customers regain control of their accounts.”
Microsoft recommends customers renew their passwords for Windows Live IDs every 90 days, approve and authenticate only users that you know and can verify credentials, and install and keep anti-virus software up to date.
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