Microsoft admitted recently that Hotmail passwords have been revealed on a website, however, they have been removed since. Microsoft officials did not disclose how many accounts were involved, but some have estimated the number to exceed 10,000. Microsoft did say that this was not caused from breaching of its own servers.

Apparently the passwords were disclosed following a phishing attack. Phishing is generally done when a crook finds out sensitive information after sending a fake email that looks very authentic.

The website posting the passwords remained unknown and Microsoft stated all related Hotmail accounts were blocked and users were being helped to regain access to their email once again.

Dozens of people have been put behind bars in the US and abroad to infiltrate a crime ring that stole the identities of thousands of online users. The FBI spokeswoman stated that agents were making arrests in Nevada, Southern California, North Carolina and abroad. All in all, approximately one hundred arrests are expected.

These suspects are thought to have used a phishing method, using computer intrusion and fraud to obtain sensitive personal data, providing them with access to users’ bank accounts. A typical phishing works by tricking people to answer an e-mail that appears legitimate but it direct them to a fake website where personal data is requested for being updated, including passwords and financial account numbers.