In recent months, there has been an increase in email accounts being hacked. This is done using software to “guess” your password. Many people may not realize the full impact of someone else having access to your account even for the short time it takes for you to be notified. This usually occurs when someone informs you from your contacts list.
There can be as many as 50,000 spam messages that go out in one hour from a hacked account. On the black market of the Internet, lists of hacked accounts may go for $2.50 a piece. This list will contain thousands of email accounts that can be victimized. This includes an old “throw away” account that you created years ago that you don’t or seldom use. Therefore, your best course of action is to close all accounts you do not use.
Think of the information you store in those folders; password resets, license keys of purchased software, a record of other purchases, emails from work you forwarded (with attachments), travel itineraries, financials and personal and / or private information. This information can now be used to trick you or someone you know.
The problem is once they hack your password and gain access they know that most people use the same password for other accounts. Now suddenly everything in your electronic world is at risk.
Security experts agree that passwords are a poor way to maintain security. Even biometrics (finger swipe, facial recognition) on personal computers give you a password backdoor in the event your bio isn’t metric anymore or the software is corrupted and fails.
We recommend the following:
· Never share your password
· Change your passwords (2-4 times a year).
· Do not use the same passwords for all accounts.
· Use complex passwords at least 10 characters long use symbols and letters.
· Keep a hard copy of passwords.
· Keep a list of all email accounts you use.
· Speak to a computer expert regarding additional ways to secure your computer
Remember, when you make it convenient for yourself, you make it convenient for thieves.
Contact information:
Senior Deputy Timothy Lohman
(805) 371 8362 / [email protected]
