Have your email address details every been stolen? (compromised)
Would you even know if they had?
Click on this link https://haveibeenpwned.com/ to check whether your email address has been compromised in a data breach. Have I been pwned will return a startling (in some cases) record of where, when, and how your email address was compromised.
Now that you have stopped hyperventilating (if you find out your email has been compromised, and not once, but a couple of times), you are probably asking yourself;
• What does compromised even mean?
• How did this happen?
• Why did this happen?
• What now?
So as not to baffle or boggle your mind with ‘techy’ jargon, here are the answers, in layman’s terms, to your questions.
A compromised email address is one which has had its credentials (Login and password details) stolen.
Gone Phishing! Well not that kind, but the cyber kind. Phishing is the most common scheme emails get hacked. The worst part is YOU get caught hook, line, and sinker. Phishing is a cunning method whereby you receive an authentic looking email, requesting you to verify some information. You click a link sending you to a legitimate looking website and proceed with the verification process. However, what you have just done, is enter your details into a fake website which has captured all your credentials.
Databases of contact details and credentials sell for huge amounts on the dark web. With your details, hackers can access numerous devices and accounts. Account passwords can be reset, accounts set up or deleted, unauthorised transfers sent, and credit information gained.
Time is always our worst enemy – On how many occasions have you been prompted to allow for a program or antivirus update, and you have clicked the NOT NOW option?
• Do you even have an antivirus program on your computer? There are many fantastic options out there for you to choose from. Don’t hit the snooze button on this important software.
• Change your passwords often
• Try not to use the same password for everything requiring one
• Log off and switch off your computer at night or when you have finished using it
It is imperative to have an antivirus program on your computer, whether you work for a company or not. Once your email has been compromised, there is no way to prevent other people from using it, for the simple reason, they are using a different mail server.