When dealing with email security one can never be too safe. It is absolutely imperative that you change your password often and for every account you have.
One of the most important yet overlooked things to remember when attempting to keep an email account safe and secure is the strength of the password. It can’t be over-emphasized how incredibly important it is to use a secure password for your email account (especially a free account such as Yahoo or Gmail!).
Hackers utilize many techniques when attempting to gain access to an email account. One of these techniques is the Automatic Password Reset which we find on webmail sites like Yahoo, Gmail, Hotmail, etc. If an attacker answers the reset questions correctly (such as ‘What is your dog’s name?’) then you are potentially at risk from the standpoint that anyone who knows you and/or of you could reset your password and gain access to your account.
Another problem arising from using a free email account is that your login name is almost always the exact syntax as your email address. What this means is that any corporation/website (legitimate or not) that has your email address also has your login ID. Next stop – password.
This post is not intended to cause superfluous concern when utilizing a free email account. If proper actions are taken one can be fairly certain that their account will not be compromised. Below are some steps you can take to safeguard your email account:
- NEVER use the same password for more than one account unless it is within the same organization.
- ALWAYS choose a password at least 8 to 10 characters in length.
- Mix the password characters with number, letters, and symbols (provided the site/server allows for this).
- Be EXTREMELY careful where you login from. If you login from a friend’s computer and their computer has ANY type of spyware, malware, or virus your account credentials can be accessed by someone other than you.
- When setting up Security Questions consider using consistent, false answers as this greatly reduces the possibility of someone guessing the answers.
- Make sure your computer is protected with some type of virus protection and that the virus definitions are always up to date.
- Never give your password to anyone else. Not because you do not trust them but because they could inadvertently compromise your account simply because they do not understand safe surfing procedures.
- Be VERY careful about opening email from sources you do not know.
- DO NOT log into your account(s) while connected to a public WiFi network (e.g. the local coffee shop). One should always refrain from this if possible. If you are logging on from this type of network, be sure the Website is using SSL encryption.
Following ALL of the above steps will GREATLY reduce your chances of having your email account compromised.
Tags: email security, free email, hotmail, passwords, yahoo
