how do i log in to a mac.com email?

You are welcome. You can use Apple Mail and your Apple ID password.

If you want to use the Outlook email program, you need to enable 2 Factor Authentication on your Apple ID and create an app specific password to use. If your account won’t allow 2 Factor Authentication, try 2 step verification.

Apple ID -Two-factor authentication          

 Two Factor Authentification availability.     

 Apple ID - Using app-specific passwords.     

Apple ID - Two Step Verifications FAQ    

Reference the security questions, if you are being told there isn't enough information to reset them, contact Apple ID Support.

If you don't know the answers, if the steps in the article below don’t work, contact Apple ID Support, although I’m not sure they will be able to help. 

Apple ID - If you forgot the answers to your Apple ID security questions.      

From the article below. 

Without proof of your identity via security questions and other carefully selected criteria, Apple Support can't help you reset a password or perform any other actions on your account. These policies are audited and reviewed on a regular basis.

Security and your Apple ID.    

Apple ID - Official Apple Support.    

Contact Apple for help with Apple ID account security - Apple Support.   (Link doesn't always load)  

Get Support    Work through the screens to get a chat option. 

Apple Support schedule phone call

https://twitter.com/AppleSupport

You are welcome. I'm not sure about the data being erased from the server.

What happens when you try? Error message(s)? More information would help.