Account Security Problems

How to Secure a Microsoft Outlook or Hotmail Email Alias

John Wilson Oct 21, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users need to secure their Microsoft Outlook or Hotmail email alias, especially if they suspect unauthorized use or notice unfamiliar sender names associated with their inbox.

How to Secure a Microsoft Outlook or Hotmail Email Alias

Product: Microsoft Outlook
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Reviewing and managing account aliases, checking for unauthorized access, and updating Microsoft account security settings.
Observed behavior: All aliases on a Microsoft account deliver messages to the same inbox. Users may see different sender names and become concerned about unauthorized control of their Outlook or Hotmail alias.

Before you start

Ensure you have access to your primary Microsoft account credentials and a secondary verification method, such as an alternate email or phone number, before making changes to your security settings.

Solution 1Recommended

Review Account Aliases and Security Information

Check your Microsoft account for unrecognized aliases, forwarding rules, and connected applications to ensure no unauthorized access exists.

Since all aliases deliver messages to the same inbox, an unfamiliar sender name does not automatically mean your account is compromised. However, it is crucial to review your settings to confirm your account's integrity.

Check current aliases

Log in to your Microsoft account, navigate to 'Your info', and select 'Edit account info' to review all email addresses linked to your account. Remove any aliases you do not recognize.

Review forwarding rules

Open your Outlook settings (the gear icon), go to 'Mail', and check both 'Rules' and 'Forwarding'. Delete any rules that automatically forward your emails to unknown addresses.

Manage connected apps

In your Microsoft account privacy or security dashboard, review the applications that have access to your data and revoke permissions for any suspicious or unused apps.

Review Account Aliases and Security Information

Alias Behavior: Remember that a different sender name might simply be a spoofed email address. Reviewing your actual account aliases is the best way to verify ownership.

Solution 2

Update Password and Enable Two-Step Verification

Change your login credentials and add an extra layer of security to prevent future unauthorized access to your aliases.

Solution 3

Contact Microsoft Support for Account Recovery

Reach out directly to Microsoft Support if your alias is actively being misused or if you are locked out of your account.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do different aliases have different passwords?

No. All aliases associated with a single Microsoft account share the same password and deliver messages to the same primary inbox.

Does a strange sender name mean my alias is hacked?

Not necessarily. Spammers often 'spoof' or forge sender names to make it look like an email came from you. However, you should still check your account's 'Recent activity' page to ensure there are no successful unauthorized logins.

How do I completely remove an unfamiliar alias?

Log in to your Microsoft account, go to the 'Your info' section, and click 'Edit account info'. From there, click 'Remove' next to any email alias that you do not recognize.

What should I do if my forwarding rules were changed without my permission?

Immediately delete the unfamiliar forwarding rules in your Outlook mail settings. Then, change your Microsoft account password and enable two-step verification to lock out unauthorized users.

Microsoft Office Security Issues