A hard-to-guess password is essential for Internet security.
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Microsoft has transitioned its Hotmail web-based email service into the Windows Live online software suite, meaning that your Hotmail account now gives you access to email, instant messaging, photo sharing, video creation and online storage. Change your password regularly to keep your account secure; Microsoft recommends changing it every 72 days. A strong password combines uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols; this makes it hard for anyone to guess your password.
Step 1
Open the Windows Live webpage in your Internet browser (see Resources). Click the "Hotmail" link, then, if necessary, click "Sign In" in the upper right-hand corner. Enter your username and password, then press "Enter."
Step 2
Click the down arrow next to your name in the upper right-hand corner of the Hotmail screen. Click "Account." Click the "Change" link next to "Password" on your "Account Overview."
Step 3
Enter your old password, then enter your new password into the next box. Hotmail will display a bar that indicates how strong the password is. A red bar indicates a weak password, yellow means a medium-secure password and green denotes a strong password. Re-enter your new password in the next box to confirm it. Check the box if you want Microsoft to require you to change your password every 72 days. Click "Change" to finalize the password change.
Tip
- If you can't remember your password, you can reset it using the automated Hotmail form, then change it to something new (see Resources).
- Use a unique password for each website rather than using the same password across several sites.
Photo Credits
- Jupiterimages/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images
