AboutUs hasn't finished checking this site yet — the live checks below are current; more details appear as we crawl it.
hotmail.com
Verifying against the live site and live WHOIS/DNS…
Common questions
Is hotmail.com legit or a scam?
hotmail.com was registered Mar 27, 1996 (30 years old), per public registration records. AboutUs doesn't label sites "legit" or "a scam": this page lists the dated registration, DNS, HTTPS, mail-authentication and safety checks we could verify, each with its source, so you can decide for yourself.
Who owns hotmail.com?
Nobody has completed AboutUs's owner verification for hotmail.com. That's true of most sites here — it isn't itself a warning sign.
When was hotmail.com registered?
hotmail.com's registration dates to Mar 27, 1996 (30 years old), per public registration records. MarkMonitor Inc. is the registrar on record today.
Checked in the last 30 daysOlder, dated recordFrom registration records
Registered 30 years ago · on AboutUs since 2006 · 3 registrar changes since May 12, 2007 · no registrant change on record since 2007 · last checked Nov 2, 2026.
Registration
RegisteredMar 27, 1996hotmail.com was registered on Mar 27, 1996.Source: RDAP, fetched Oct 25, 2026
AboutUs record
AboutUs wiki pageAboutUs wiki pageJun 20, 2006 – Feb 21, 2018An AboutUs wiki page described hotmail.com from Jun 20, 2006 to Feb 21, 2018 (103 edits).Source: AboutUs wiki archive, 2006–2023
Registrar
TUCOWS, INC.May 12, 2007 – Oct 5, 2009Registrar TUCOWS, INC. in the WHOIS and RDAP records held for hotmail.com, from May 12, 2007 to Oct 5, 2009.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is)MELBOURNE IT, LTD. D/B/A INTERNET NAMES WORLDWIDEJul 7, 2011 – Aug 19, 2011
Registrant
Registrant recordsMay 12, 2007 – Jun 12, 2026Registration records for hotmail.com are held from May 12, 2007 to Jun 12, 2026 (2,579 records). None shows a change of registrant. Privacy-service and redaction changes, renames of the same organization and new contacts at it are not counted.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is); counted by registrant name and organization only
No registrant changes recorded, 2007–2026
Zone file
Nameservers: msft.netNameservers: msft.netMay 12, 2007 – Oct 17, 2013Registration records listed msft.net nameservers (ns1.msft.net, ns2.msft.net, ns3.msft.net…) for hotmail.com from May 12, 2007 to Oct 17, 2013. Days a zone file covers are shown from the zone file instead.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
Certificate
DigiCert IncDigiCert IncAug 9, 2025 – Nov 3, 2026DigiCert Inc issued 19 certificates for hotmail.com from Aug 9, 2025, the latest valid until May 3, 2027.Source: Certificate Transparency logs (dns.pizza's own certificate-log reader + AboutUs's own certificate-log reader)
200020102020Jan ’26Oct ’26← last 12 months, drawn wider
Every dated fact on this lifeline (21)
Mar 27, 1996Registration: hotmail.com was registered on Mar 27, 1996.Source: RDAP, fetched Oct 25, 2026
Jun 20, 2006 – Feb 21, 2018AboutUs record: An AboutUs wiki page described hotmail.com from Jun 20, 2006 to Feb 21, 2018 (103 edits).Source: AboutUs wiki archive, 2006–2023
Jul 1, 2006AboutUs record: “hotmail.com started in the early or maybe middle of the 1990's, when the internet just started to become popular among common people. This site and rocketmail.com were probably the only two sites that offered free web b…”Source: AboutUs wiki archive, 2006
May 12, 2007 – Oct 5, 2009Registrar: Registrar TUCOWS, INC. in the WHOIS and RDAP records held for hotmail.com, from May 12, 2007 to Oct 5, 2009.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is)
May 12, 2007 – Jun 12, 2026Registrant: Registration records for hotmail.com are held from May 12, 2007 to Jun 12, 2026 (2,579 records). None shows a change of registrant. Privacy-service and redaction changes, renames of the same organization and new contacts at it are not counted.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is); counted by registrant name and organization only
May 12, 2007 – Oct 17, 2013
Said about itself in 2006
Jul 1, 2006
“hotmail.com started in the early or maybe middle of the 1990's, when the internet just started to become popular among common people. This site and rocketmail.com were probably the only two sites that offered free web b…”
Source: AboutUs wiki archive, 2006
Said about itself in 2008Jul 1, 2008“Hotmail.com started in the early or mid 1990s, when the Internet just started to become popular among everyday people. This site and RocketMail.com were probably the only two sites that offered free web based email acco…”Source: AboutUs wiki archive, 2008
Said about itself in 2010Jul 1, 2010“Hotmail.com started in the 1990s, when the Internet just started to become popular. Hotmail.com and RocketMail.com were probably the only two sites that offered free web based email accounts. Hotmail.com remained indepe…”Source: AboutUs wiki archive, 2010
Current AboutUs recordJun 17, 2026 – Nov 1, 2026 (latest)Authority and Safety last refreshed Nov 1, 2026.Source: AboutUs checks
Registrar MELBOURNE IT, LTD. D/B/A INTERNET NAMES WORLDWIDE in the WHOIS and RDAP records held for hotmail.com, from Jul 7, 2011 to Aug 19, 2011.
Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is)
Markmonitor.comAug 23, 2011 – Nov 12, 2013Registrar Markmonitor.com in the WHOIS and RDAP records held for hotmail.com, from Aug 23, 2011 to Nov 12, 2013.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is)
MarkMonitor, Inc.MarkMonitor, Inc.Nov 13, 2013 – Nov 2, 2026 (latest)Registrar MarkMonitor, Inc. (IANA 292) in the registration data recorded, first on Nov 13, 2013 and most recently on Nov 2, 2026.Source: RDAP, fetched Oct 25, 2026
Nameservers: msft.netOct 18, 2013 – Apr 3, 2018msft.net (ns1.msft.net, ns2.msft.net, ns3.msft.net…) were the nameservers listed for hotmail.com at every ICANN zone-file snapshot AboutUs holds from Oct 18, 2013 to Apr 3, 2018 (snapshots exist for only part of 2013–2018).Source: ICANN zone-file snapshots, 2013–2018 (legacy archive)
Nameservers: msft.netApr 4, 2018 – May 5, 2020Registration records listed msft.net nameservers (ns1.msft.net, ns2.msft.net, ns3.msft.net…) for hotmail.com from Apr 4, 2018 to May 5, 2020. Days a zone file covers are shown from the zone file instead.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
Nameservers: msft.info, msftnet.orgMay 11, 2020Registration records listed msft.info, msftnet.org nameservers (ns1-205.hotmail.com.msft.info, ns2-205.hotmail.com.msftnet.org, ns3-205.hotmail.com.msft.info…) for hotmail.com from May 11, 2020 to May 11, 2020.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
DNS moved to msft.info, msftnet.orgMay 11, 2020hotmail.com's nameservers moved from msft.net to msft.info, msftnet.org between May 5, 2020 and May 11, 2020. Last seen at msft.net: May 5, 2020 (registration record). First seen at msft.info, msftnet.org: May 11, 2020 (registration record).Source: Derived from the nameserver records on this lifeline (registration record → registration record)
Nameservers: Microsoft Azure DNSNameservers: Microsoft Azure DNSMay 25, 2020 – Jun 12, 2026Registration records listed Microsoft Azure DNS nameservers (ns1-205.azure-dns.com, ns2-205.azure-dns.net, ns3-205.azure-dns.org…) for hotmail.com from May 25, 2020 to Jun 12, 2026.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
DNS moved to Microsoft Azure DNSMay 25, 2020hotmail.com's nameservers moved from msft.info, msftnet.org to Microsoft Azure DNS between May 11, 2020 and May 25, 2020. Last seen at msft.info, msftnet.org: May 11, 2020 (registration record). First seen at Microsoft Azure DNS: May 25, 2020 (registration record).Source: Derived from the nameserver records on this lifeline (registration record → registration record)
Seen in the .com zone fileSep 8, 2026 – Nov 1, 2026 (latest)First seen in the .com zone file records AboutUs holds on Sep 8, 2026; latest sighting Nov 1, 2026. Nameservers on Nov 1, 2026: ns1-205.azure-dns.com, ns2-205.azure-dns.net, ns3-205.azure-dns.org, ns4-205.azure-dns.info.Source: ICANN CZDS zone file, snapshot Nov 1, 2026
Microsoft CorporationMar 4, 2026 – Nov 3, 2026 (latest)Microsoft Corporation issued 25 certificates for hotmail.com from Mar 4, 2026, the latest valid until May 15, 2027. Seen in use on Nov 2, 2026.Source: Certificate Transparency logs (AboutUs's own certificate-log reader); TLS check, Nov 2, 2026
Zone file: Registration records listed msft.net nameservers (ns1.msft.net, ns2.msft.net, ns3.msft.net…) for hotmail.com from May 12, 2007 to Oct 17, 2013. Days a zone file covers are shown from the zone file instead.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
Jul 1, 2008AboutUs record: “Hotmail.com started in the early or mid 1990s, when the Internet just started to become popular among everyday people. This site and RocketMail.com were probably the only two sites that offered free web based email acco…”Source: AboutUs wiki archive, 2008
Jul 1, 2010AboutUs record: “Hotmail.com started in the 1990s, when the Internet just started to become popular. Hotmail.com and RocketMail.com were probably the only two sites that offered free web based email accounts. Hotmail.com remained indepe…”Source: AboutUs wiki archive, 2010
Jul 7, 2011 – Aug 19, 2011Registrar: Registrar MELBOURNE IT, LTD. D/B/A INTERNET NAMES WORLDWIDE in the WHOIS and RDAP records held for hotmail.com, from Jul 7, 2011 to Aug 19, 2011.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is)
Aug 23, 2011 – Nov 12, 2013Registrar: Registrar Markmonitor.com in the WHOIS and RDAP records held for hotmail.com, from Aug 23, 2011 to Nov 12, 2013.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is)
Oct 18, 2013 – Apr 3, 2018Zone file: msft.net (ns1.msft.net, ns2.msft.net, ns3.msft.net…) were the nameservers listed for hotmail.com at every ICANN zone-file snapshot AboutUs holds from Oct 18, 2013 to Apr 3, 2018 (snapshots exist for only part of 2013–2018).Source: ICANN zone-file snapshots, 2013–2018 (legacy archive)
Nov 13, 2013 – Nov 2, 2026Registrar: Registrar MarkMonitor, Inc. (IANA 292) in the registration data recorded, first on Nov 13, 2013 and most recently on Nov 2, 2026.Source: RDAP, fetched Oct 25, 2026
Apr 4, 2018 – May 5, 2020Zone file: Registration records listed msft.net nameservers (ns1.msft.net, ns2.msft.net, ns3.msft.net…) for hotmail.com from Apr 4, 2018 to May 5, 2020. Days a zone file covers are shown from the zone file instead.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
May 11, 2020Zone file: Registration records listed msft.info, msftnet.org nameservers (ns1-205.hotmail.com.msft.info, ns2-205.hotmail.com.msftnet.org, ns3-205.hotmail.com.msft.info…) for hotmail.com from May 11, 2020 to May 11, 2020.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
May 11, 2020Zone file: hotmail.com's nameservers moved from msft.net to msft.info, msftnet.org between May 5, 2020 and May 11, 2020. Last seen at msft.net: May 5, 2020 (registration record). First seen at msft.info, msftnet.org: May 11, 2020 (registration record).Source: Derived from the nameserver records on this lifeline (registration record → registration record)
May 25, 2020 – Jun 12, 2026Zone file: Registration records listed Microsoft Azure DNS nameservers (ns1-205.azure-dns.com, ns2-205.azure-dns.net, ns3-205.azure-dns.org…) for hotmail.com from May 25, 2020 to Jun 12, 2026.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
May 25, 2020Zone file: hotmail.com's nameservers moved from msft.info, msftnet.org to Microsoft Azure DNS between May 11, 2020 and May 25, 2020. Last seen at msft.info, msftnet.org: May 11, 2020 (registration record). First seen at Microsoft Azure DNS: May 25, 2020 (registration record).Source: Derived from the nameserver records on this lifeline (registration record → registration record)
Aug 9, 2025 – Nov 3, 2026Certificate: DigiCert Inc issued 19 certificates for hotmail.com from Aug 9, 2025, the latest valid until May 3, 2027.Source: Certificate Transparency logs (dns.pizza's own certificate-log reader + AboutUs's own certificate-log reader)
Mar 4, 2026 – Nov 3, 2026Certificate: Microsoft Corporation issued 25 certificates for hotmail.com from Mar 4, 2026, the latest valid until May 15, 2027. Seen in use on Nov 2, 2026.Source: Certificate Transparency logs (AboutUs's own certificate-log reader); TLS check, Nov 2, 2026
Jun 17, 2026 – Nov 1, 2026AboutUs record: Authority and Safety last refreshed Nov 1, 2026.Source: AboutUs checks
Sep 8, 2026 – Nov 1, 2026Zone file: First seen in the .com zone file records AboutUs holds on Sep 8, 2026; latest sighting Nov 1, 2026. Nameservers on Nov 1, 2026: ns1-205.azure-dns.com, ns2-205.azure-dns.net, ns3-205.azure-dns.org, ns4-205.azure-dns.info.Source: ICANN CZDS zone file, snapshot Nov 1, 2026
All 4 safety checks passed (Nov 3, 2026).
Automated safety checks
DNS (passed)
HTTPS (passed)
Page metadata (passed)
Security headers (passed)
Current facts
Latest available measurements; dated entries retain their dates. These are measurements, not an endorsement of the site.
latest result
Domain registered Mar 27, 1996 — 30 years old.
latest result
Registrar on record: MarkMonitor Inc. — unchanged since AboutUs began tracking (Jul 23, 2026).
Authority 89/100— ahead of 89% of the August 2026 scored sampleClear
Why this authority score
89 is a percentile: higher than 89% of sites we score.
How it's calculated
Prominence (Tranco rank #2,322)+10
Verified continuity: 30.6 years (RDAP registration)+11
Security & email hygiene+5
Calibration adjustment (published map)+19
Model score: 45/99 — what these reason lines add up to.
Published Authority (percentile): 89/100 — this site's rank against the August 2026 scored sample. Public Authority is capped at 99.
Safety evidence
Retained threat-feed result (recorded about 8 days ago); name-similarity check available (recorded about 1 days ago); 3/3 transport and email checks available (oldest recorded about 1 days ago). This is evidence coverage, not a probability that a website is safe.
What hotmail.com said about itself, 2006–2010
Quoted from the site's AboutUs wiki page in each year it changed (3 versions). These are the page's own words at the time, not AboutUs's assessment. New words · dropped words
2006
hotmail.com started in the early or maybe middle of the 1990's, when the internet just started to become popular among common people. This site and rocketmail.com were probably the only two sites that offered free web based email accounts. At that time, it was ridiculed by some experts because common people were charged by minutes or hours when they use the internet.
2008
Hotmail.com started in the early ormaybe middle of the mid 1990s, when the Internet just started to become popular amongcommon everyday people. This site and RocketMail.com were probably the only two sites that offered free web based email accounts.At that time, it This company remained independent long after RocketMail.com wasridiculed by some experts because common people were charged by minutes or hours when they use the internet.
Site history
Dated record — historical facts always carry their date; self-description below is the 2018 record.
1996
Domain registered (Mar 27, 1996).
2006
First tracked by AboutUs (Jun 20, 2006); profile edited 103 times through 2018.
2018
Self-description at the time:
“Hotmail.com offers free email services from Microsoft”
✓ domain continuity 30 years registered✓ live verified Nov 3, 2026
No caution flags in the available scoring observations; this is not a complete safety assessment
sold to Yahoo!.
2010
Hotmail.com started in theearly or mid 1990s, when the Internet just started to become popular.among everyday people. This site Hotmail.com and RocketMail.com were probably the only two sites that offered free web based email accounts.This company Hotmail.com remained independent long after RocketMail.com was sold to Yahoo!.