Leaked Hotmail accounts blocked by Microsoft

Yesterday, we reported that over 10000 Hotmail login details had been leaked to the Web, and that Microsoft was investigating the issue.

Today, the software giant has blocked all access to to the leaked email addresses, apparently the result of a giant phishing scheme.

"Several thousand Windows Live Hotmail customers' credentials were exposed on a third-party site," added Microsoft in a statement. "As a result of our investigation we are taking measures to block access to all of the accounts that were exposed and have resources in place to help those users reclaim their accounts."

Additionally, reports have been surfacing that the same hackers targeted Yahoo and Gmail accounts, and users are being told to switch their passwords if they believe they fell prey to the phishing scam.

"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 concluded also.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 6 Oct 2009 17:01

Advertisement - News comments available below the ad

21 comments

prutsos

well thats one of a cover up

6.10.2009 17:03 #1

Gatlin

I almust got caught on my yahoo account, I sent the email that I got to Yahoo Customer Support, took about 2 wks for a reply, guess they had to investigate. But this is the email that I got from the scamer.

Termination Of Your Yahoo Account,

This message is from Webmail messaging center to all Webmail mail
Account owners. We are currently upgrading our data base and
E-mail account center. We are deleting all Webmail email account to
Create more space for new accounts. To prevent your account from closing
you will have to update it so that we will know that it's a Present
used account.
Your response should be sent to admin manager.

Email: upgrdcust@aol.com
**************************************************
CONFIRM YOUR EMAIL IDENTITY BELOW
Email Username : ......... .....
EMAIL Password : ...............
Date of Birth : ................
Country or Territory : .........
**************************************************
Thanks,
Account Upgrade
Department Yahoo Account

6.10.2009 17:20 #2

wabashman

gatlin--

i get one of those every week it seems like for my .edu address. its really damn annoying. but fun to make up a new email addy and send a nice f-you email to the address.

6.10.2009 18:34 #3

gallagher

I have no sympathy for the morons who fall for this.

6.10.2009 19:45 #4

zachm1

I received a total of three of this emails. I notified Yahoo and forwarded them to Yahoo. The replied and told me that the culprits would be dealt with. Scammers like these guys should spend 20 life terms for this kind of crap.

Originally posted by Gatlin: I almust got caught on my yahoo account, I sent the email that I got to Yahoo Customer Support, took about 2 wks for a reply, guess they had to investigate. But this is the email that I got from the scamer.

Termination Of Your Yahoo Account,

This message is from Webmail messaging center to all Webmail mail
Account owners. We are currently upgrading our data base and
E-mail account center. We are deleting all Webmail email account to
Create more space for new accounts. To prevent your account from closing
you will have to update it so that we will know that it's a Present
used account.
Your response should be sent to admin manager.

Email: upgrdcust@aol.com
**************************************************
CONFIRM YOUR EMAIL IDENTITY BELOW
Email Username : ......... .....
EMAIL Password : ...............
Date of Birth : ................
Country or Territory : .........
**************************************************
Thanks,
Account Upgrade
Department Yahoo Account

6.10.2009 21:30 #5

ddp

i only get that type of thing on my ebay account. wabashman, you have all the fun, bummer!!!

6.10.2009 22:35 #6

KillerBug

The best part is that the lazy bastards don't even get a free @yahoo.com email address when claiming to be Yahoo Administration, they just use their @AOL.com address! This was probably intended as a joke at first...then 10,000 people actually responded with their info!

6.10.2009 22:38 #7

wabashman

Originally posted by ddp: i only get that type of thing on my ebay account. wabashman, you have all the fun, bummer!!!i've received a couple for ebay related stuff, but mainly its just like gatlin posted, 'updating the directly, please supply this BS info'

sad thing though is i never get a reply from the phishers. i would like to have a conversation with them.

6.10.2009 22:39 #8

wabashman

Originally posted by KillerBug: The best part is that the lazy bastards don't even get a free @yahoo.com email address when claiming to be Yahoo Administration, they just use their @AOL.com address! This was probably intended as a joke at first...then 10,000 people actually responded with their info!as sad as it is, i would bet money that most of the response these jerkwads get is from older people. those that dont understand you should never give this information out.

6.10.2009 22:41 #9

ddp

wabashman, should know better then post 1 after the other without editing previous post to add on to message. forum rules.

6.10.2009 23:25 #10

wabashman

sorry, figured since it was dealing with two separate issues/quotes, it was alright.

6.10.2009 23:53 #11

ddp

now you know it isn't alright. edit next time.

6.10.2009 23:55 #12

ZippyDSM

I hope google is more safe...I love my gmail and use it as my primary email...

7.10.2009 10:48 #13

ddp

i saw something last night that evem gmail might have been hit too.

7.10.2009 13:08 #14

ZippyDSM

Originally posted by ddp: i saw something last night that evem gmail might have been hit too.sad.

7.10.2009 13:10 #15

windsong

Quote:I received a total of three of this emails. I notified Yahoo and forwarded them to Yahoo. The replied and told me that the culprits would be dealt with. Scammers like these guys should spend 20 life terms for this kind of crap.

Originally posted by Gatlin: I almust got caught on my yahoo account, I sent the email that I got to Yahoo Customer Support, took about 2 wks for a reply, guess they had to investigate. But this is the email that I got from the scamer.No, I dont want my taxes funding their vacation/3 sq meals a day in Club Fed. Better to give them 20 lashes in public along with a few days in the public STOCKS for passerbys can throw manure on them.

7.10.2009 15:40 #16

ddp

windsong, not manure but doggy doo.

7.10.2009 21:59 #17

Renfraus

"Several thousand Windows Live Hotmail customers' credentials were exposed on a third-party site," added Microsoft in a statement.

Several thousand? A quick search showed that the actual figure is over ten thousand - minimum. Seems like M$ are either clueless or they're trying to play down the true scale of the compromise.

8.10.2009 10:48 #18

carls2

Quote:as sad as it is, i would bet money that most of the response these jerkwads get is from older people. those that dont understand you should never give this information out.OK I'll take the bet.

I was programming with wire links before you were born. Still, I respect your views, since I'm trying not to be ageist. Kinda hard, nowadays (as they used to say...).

9.10.2009 17:00 #19

damncrap

Originally posted by gallagher: I have no sympathy for the morons who fall for this.Not everyone is internet savvy, let me see how well your mother or perhaps even grandmother can tell the difference from a scam. My mother while not a complete computer novice has to double check with me all the time when I visit her. You may think the world should be as computer literate as you but truth be told some people still don't even own a computer let alone know what a phishing email is.

12.10.2009 19:24 #20

Renfraus

If you've seen the passwords that were stolen, the vast majority have a Spanish / Latina sounding component. This suggests a targeted attack - possibly compromising specific servers. Phishing attacks tend to use a drift net approach that would result in a diverse range of passwords

12.10.2009 21:09 #21

AfterDawn: News