If you used your Hotmail address and the same password on a smaller website (like a fitness app or a forum) that got hacked, your credentials end up in these lists.
implies the data has been "checked." Hackers use automated software (account checkers) to test these credentials against Hotmail/Outlook login pages to ensure they still work. "HOTMAIL.txt" specifies the target domain. Where Does This Data Come From?
Compromised accounts are used to send thousands of spam emails that bypass filters because they come from a "legitimate" source. 1.2k VALID HOTMAIL.txt
Once inside an email account, hackers can reset passwords for linked services like Amazon, PayPal, or Instagram.
A list of 1,200 working email accounts is a goldmine for several reasons: If you used your Hotmail address and the
Visit HaveIBeenPwned.com and enter your email address to see if it has been leaked in known data breaches.
It is a common misconception that these lists come from a direct breach of Microsoft. Instead, they are usually compiled through: Where Does This Data Come From
This is the single most effective defense. Even if a hacker has your password, they cannot log in without the code from your phone or authenticator app.