how do i KEEP logged in to hotmail

I KEEP GETTING AN EMAIL WHICH COULD BE FROM HOTMAIL SAYING TO CLICK ON A LINK TO VERIFY MY LOG IN DETAILS. HOW DO I KNOW IT IS FROM HOTMAIL AND NOT A SPOOF TRYING TO GET MY LOG IN DETAILS?
IF I CLICK ON IT, IT ASKS ME FOR MY EMAIL AND PASSWORD . THIS COULD BE SOMEONE TRYING TO GET MY LOG IN DETAILS AND ACCESS TO MY PERSONAL EMAILS. OR IT COULD BE HOTMAIL NEEDING THIS FOR SOME REASON. 
ANY IDEAS ANYONE?