Now as most of you know I am completely 'thick' about technology and even the fact I can use this forum is a miracle
Can someone explain why I'm having problems with my hotmail account.
In 7 years I've never had any problems but starting from yesterday I do.
I couldnt get into my account yesterday and it came up with a strange page that even my 'techno' son said he'd never seen before. It wouldnt let me in for about an hour or 2 and yet everyone esle in the house could get into theirs. Then it came back. Today the same problem again. (something about server problem and a load of waffle written about microsoft)

Two strange things : one was that this morning when I got into my 'sign in' bit the photo I had (of palm trees had been replaced by a sort of cartoon character - blind) tonight its back to palm trees again ??
and second : last week I had a block of 6 invites from strange spanish/similar people to join facebook and consequently one every day since ???
I dont belong to Facebook and dont understand this.
Should I set up a new email account - or am I being over worried ?

ps: have just been deleting lots of old (4 yrs old) emails and although I've now done about 200 the number of 'deleted' has not changed at all. So where are all the deleted ones going?

I dunno about this Patty at all as not techy myself either... I think Hotmail do have probs from time to time with people taking over email addresses... every email from a friend trying to sell me cheap handbags is always a Hotmail account.

thanks anyway Indie - I suppose I'm just being paranoid that someone is looking at my stuff like credit card payments etc - I dont really want to change cos I just set up play.com and other sites with all my details - will wait a day or 2 and see.

do you have credit card details available through your email?? I don't think I do... I think it will be okay....

why don't you ask in the Lab?

Now, see that was a sensible suggestion!

thanks Lynnxa

I'm ashamed to admit that I didnt know there was a lab section - I suppose cos I always come in through the side door of hotmail

Yeah first time I heard about the lab.

Do a virus scan and scan for spyware if your anti-virus program doesn't have this facility.

Suggestion - rather than change your e-mail I would change your password AND ALSO your secret security question(s) immediately.

Those Facebook friend requests are phishing scams beacuse I receive them too to my work e-mail whereas my facebook is registered to a private e-mail. They look very realistic though don't they? But that's the point!

I hadn't heard of the lab area either so that was a bit of useful info! I've got Yahoo Mail and have had for years but I've had some phishing ones recently saying that my DHL package is ready be delivered and please click on this link to confirm when we can deliver... luckily I'm not expecting anything and well, the English is quite bad but I wonder how many people do click on the link.....

Thanks Duffer - you've set my mind at rest. I suppose being one of the 'old fogies' on the forum I get a bit scared by all todays technology

I wont say I used a slate at school but probably not far off

Sorry to be such a twit Duffer - but how do I change my password in hotmail? I went into profile but couldnt find anything relevant.
(my son and hubby are out cos I'd usually drag them here to do it for me)

ok - ignore this went into a help site and managed to do both password and security question - so am very happy now. Thanks alot.

Cool. Just remember to write down your password in an obvious place, like next to the PIN number written on the back of your bancomat

Is that bad then???