My Outlook is CONSTANTLY getting hacked--HELP!!

[schuttle13]

So my Outlook keeps getting hacked. If I look at my recent activity, every 4 minutes someone tries to log onto my account. Its from a windows computer (i have a mac) and from what I can see its been every 4 minutes for the last couple days. Its only a matter of time before I get hacked again I assume. What do I do? How do I know if its just my e-mail or something on my computer? Can someone put a program on your e-mail to automatically keep trying to log on? I'm not very techy at all...and I don't want to close this account because I've had it 10+ years and it would be a big hassle. I also don't really want to wipe clean my computer because I don't know how to back up our computer and we have alot of important information on here. I've run a antivirus on here and it came back clear. (Dont remember the name) Any help would be much appreciated!

 

[RadDave]

Hi Schuttle - welcome to the forum! You will need to provide a lot more information before specific advice can be given: 1) Mac model/date; 2) OS X is installed; 3) Hard disk partitioning (just OS X or also a Windows partition); and 4) Outlook version.

Your Apple Mac (at least the OS X) partition is not subject to malware so no surprise that your scanning was negative.

You should be backing up your Mac - at least buy an external HD and dedicate the device to Time Machine (Apple has many support articles on its use); in addition, you should have a redundant backup of your important files, e.g. docs/pics/music (I use an external LaCie SSD drive) - finally most here recommend 'cloning' your HD - digest some of these thoughts and answer the questions posed - good luck! Dave

 

[vansmith]

Your Apple Mac (at least the OS X) partition is not subject to malware so no surprise that your scanning was negative.

OS X is very much subject to malware and more and more, this is becoming an issue. I think you're thinking of viruses.

So my Outlook keeps getting hacked. If I look at my recent activity, every 4 minutes someone tries to log onto my account.

When you say that Outlook is getting hacked, what are you specifically talking about? Is someone trying to login to your account? How do you know this? Is this the online email service or is someone actually accessing the Outlook email application on your Mac?

 

[schuttle13]

Thanks for some feedback, I will try to answer all the questions to best of my knowledge.

My e-mail is hotmail, which then changed to outlook. Someone is trying to log onto my e-mail (not on my computer, from somewhere else) I know this because if I look at my "recent activity" on my account it shows everytime a log in is attempted and if it was successful or not. Every four minutes someone tries to log onto my e-mail and it says "incorrect password entered" if you click on the details, under "device platform" is says Windows and under "browser/app" is says Exchange AcviteSync....when I log in it says Successful log in/Mac OS/Safari....so I know its someone else and it seems to be automated...if I keep going back in my recent activity history someones been trying to log in every 4 minutes for days...

I have a Macbook Pro

Mac OS X
Version 10.5.8
We dont have windows on here

how do I know what ios i have installed? and I only use hotmail e-mail which automatically changed to outlook, I don't know the version. Sorry, be patient with me, I really don't know anything about computers.

I've read stuff about keyloggers, could this be a possibility? Or can it be a virus? Or is someone out there just trying to hack into my e-mail? My internet does seem to be running slower, especially when I'm on my e-mail. Thanks for all the help so far

 

[vansmith]

This may very well have nothing to do with your computer as it would appear that something is trying to access your Outlook account. First, I'd recommend changing your password to something very complex. You can use something like this to generate a stronger password. I'd then contact Microsoft and explain what is happening (see here).

 

[RadDave]

Thanks for some feedback, I will try to answer all the questions to best of my knowledge.

My e-mail is hotmail, which then changed to outlook. Someone is trying to log onto my e-mail (not on my computer, from somewhere else) I know this because if I look at my "recent activity" on my account it shows everytime a log in is attempted and if it was successful or not. Every four minutes someone tries to log onto my e-mail and it says "incorrect password entered" if you click on the details, under "device platform" is says Windows and under "browser/app" is says Exchange AcviteSync....when I log in it says Successful log in/Mac OS/Safari....so I know its someone else and it seems to be automated...if I keep going back in my recent activity history someones been trying to log in every 4 minutes for days...

I have a Macbook Pro - Mac OS X - Version 10.5.8 - We dont have windows on here

how do I know what ios i have installed? and I only use hotmail e-mail which automatically changed to outlook, I don't know the version. Sorry, be patient with me, I really don't know anything about computers.

I've read stuff about keyloggers, could this be a possibility? Or can it be a virus? Or is someone out there just trying to hack into my e-mail? My internet does seem to be running slower, especially when I'm on my e-mail. Thanks for all the help so far

Hi again - thanks for the information (the iOS was a typo on my part - meant OS X which you have given us above; also corrected in my previous post).

ADDENDUM: Also, Vansmith has made some excellent suggestions, especially in changing your password.

As to 'malware' (a generic term that includes viruses, worms, Trojans, etc.), I should have been more specific, but you don't have any of the issues mentioned in parentheses, but there are certainly other types (JAVA, browser threats, et al) that can affect the Mac; again, I doubt that is your problem; if interested check out these malware articles to put you more at ease: Link 1, Link 2, and Link 3. - good luck. Dave

 

[bobtomay]

And just as further FYI: "getting hacked" would mean that whomever was actually able to log in to your Outlook account. From your report in this case, they've so far only attempted to guess the password. There really is nothing you can do to prevent someone from attempting to guess a password and get into an online account. Hence, the need for complex passwords.

As suggested by vansmith, about the only thing you can do is report it and make sure you have a complex password and possibly change it every couple of days during the time you notice someone attempting to get in.

 

[schuttle13]

Thanks for the replies--

I have been hacked multiple times in the past (lately like every week) where spam e-mails have been sent out to my contacts. So upon further investigation is where I found that someones trying to log into my account every 4 minutes. Does anybody know if hackers use automated programs to keep trying to log in? There's no way someones sitting at a computer and typing in new passwords exactly 4 minutes apart for days now...

I tried calling the tech support for microsoft, but since it's the "free" account and not a payed business one, they said my only option for help is through online support....figures....I e-mailed the tech support, still waiting for reply, and I guess I'll see where this takes me.

I'm starting to think I should just close this account....I do have VERY hard passwords, and eventually they get hacked. I've had this e-mail address for 10+ years and have had no problems, until the last couple months.

I guess I just want to make sure that its not coming from something on my computer....if the its someone on the outside trying to just log into my e-mail, I'll just close the account.

Again, thanks for all the help so far--glad theres people out there who actually understand computers!!

 

[vansmith]

If someone is actually trying to get into your account, the password cracking attempt is likely automated. One thing you might want to do is turn on two step verification if you have a mobile phone (see here). Essentially, this sets up your account such that once you enter your password, an SMS is sent to your phone with a code that you also have to put in. You only have to do this once but the great part about this is that if someone did get your password, they'd still need the code which would only be texted to you.

 

[docx]

You should be backing up your Mac - at least buy an external HD and dedicate the device to Time Machine (Apple has many support articles on its use); in addition, you should have a redundant backup of your important files, e.g. docs/pics/music

Just wanted to say this is very god advice. Hard drives are relatively cheap and Time Machine is easy to use.
Don't wait until something happens to your data before you think of a backup.

 

[TattooedMac]

Make a 14 digit Password include Capitals and !@#,.?/ Symbols, and even if they did a brute force attack, it would take them literally eons to get into you account, then change password every month or 2

 

[draxz1289]

I am in the same situtation

Hello everyone,

Really sorry to revive an old thread, but I am in the exact same situation

some one or an automated system in guessing the password every 4 mins.

The password then gets changed and I have to reset it again. I have also turned on the two-step verification and the password still gets changed.

OP how did you stop this?