Help protect your Windows Live ID

1. Choose a strong password that includes a combination of both uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters such as a space or #!@*&%.
2. Change your password occasionally. When you reset your password you can choose to make it expire every 72 days and Windows Live will remind you to update it.
3. Never share your password, even with family and friends.
4. To test your password strength, visit our Password Checker.
5. If you're using a shared computer, such as a computer in a school or library, whenever you log in with your Windows Live ID, make sure there is not a check next to Remember me on this computer or the Remember my password.

For more information on how to use strong passwords, visit Strong passwords: How to create and use them.

Recognize and avoid phishing scams

Phishing scams are fraudulent e-mail messages designed to steal your personal information. You may receive phishing scams that attempt to trick you into turning over your Windows Live ID or password.

3 tips on how to help avoid phishing scams

1. Look for clues. For tips on spotting phishing scams, see Recognize phishing scams and fraudulent e-mail.
2. Think before you click links in e-mail messages. For more information, see Approach links in e-mail with caution.
3. Control who you receive e-mail messages from. For more information, read Block or allow messages from specific senders and domains.

What to do if you receive an e-mail message that says you have reset your password?

When you reset your password for your Windows Live ID, Windows Live will send you a confirmation e-mail. If you receive this e-mail, but you did not request to reset your password, you should cancel this request because it might mean someone else is trying to access your account.

Cancel password reset

1. Copy the link in the e-mail message, paste it in the address bar of your Web browser, and then press ENTER.
   
   IMPORTANT: Because fraudulent ("phishing") e-mail messages often use misleading links, Microsoft recommends that you do not click links in e-mail messages but instead copy and paste them into your browser.
2. Follow the instructions on the Web page that opens.

Use Internet Explorer 8

Take advantage of the SmartScreen Filter in Internet Explorer 8 to help detect unsafe and potentially unsafe Web sites as you browse.

Report suspicious activity

If you suspect that something is wrong, you have several different ways of reporting this information to Microsoft.

• To report a scam, click Report Phishing Scam on the message toolbar in Windows Live Hotmail or report the message to Microsoft.
• If you believe that someone has signed in to your Windows Live account, you can change your password, reset your password, or report the issue to Windows Live Support.
• To change or reset your password, go to Account.live.com, select Forgot your password, and then follow the directions.
• To submit questions about privacy issues, complete the Microsoft Online Privacy Feedback Form