GitHub Blocks Outlook and Hotmail Emails for New Accounts
The code hosting platform GitHub, owned by Microsoft, has prohibited the use of Outlook and Hotmail email addresses for new account registrations. This move is a response to an increase in fraudulent activities and abuse leveraging these email services.
GitHub, the widely-used code hosting and collaboration platform, has implemented a new policy restricting the creation of new accounts using Microsoft's Outlook and Hotmail email services. The platform cited an increase in fraudulent activities and abuse associated with these email providers as the reason for the change.
According to GitHub, malicious actors have been using Outlook and Hotmail addresses to mass-register accounts, which are then employed for deceptive practices. The company emphasized that existing users with accounts registered via these email services are unaffected and can continue to use GitHub without interruption.
New users seeking to join the platform are now advised to use alternative email providers for their registrations. This decision marks a notable internal measure by Microsoft, as it restricts access through its own email services on a platform it also owns. The company aims to enhance the security and integrity of its platform by mitigating abuse.
The restriction is part of ongoing efforts by technology companies to combat fraudulent account creation and misuse of their services. GitHub's move highlights the persistent challenges in maintaining a secure online environment against evolving threats from bad actors.