Are your friends, family, and colleagues getting spam emails from your email account? Has your email account been shut down by your service provider? If so, your email has probably been hacked. Obviously this is a major problem as it can cause issues in both the personal and business life of those affected.
In order to figure out how to stop these types of attacks, you have to understand how they happen in the first place. Read on to learn more.
Hackers Target Email
Spammers are constantly searching for ways to make the process of sending mass amounts of emails easier and more effective. Most people simply will not pay attention to emails coming from an email account they don’t know or trust. If spammers can send emails from a trusted source, they’re more likely to have their emails read. One of the ways they accomplish this is by hacking personal email accounts.
Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do to protect your email account from these types of attacks. However, you can make sure to never click on any emails from an unknown source. If your email service flags an email as untrustworthy or suspicious, even if it comes from someone you trust, it’s always best to avoid it.
Stolen Credentials
Leaked email logins are often put up for sale after major hacks take place. If your password hasn’t changed by the time of purchase, it’s likely your email will be used to send spam. This is part of the reason why it’s so important to change your passwords regularly.
Detecting an Intrusion
It may take some time to figure out if your email has been hacked. The first thing to check for is a large number of emails in your inbox. These are probably replies to emails you didn’t send. Keep an eye on your inbox and outbox for unexpected emails.
Protecting Yourself
Change your password immediately if you think your email has been hacked. Use a different and secure password that includes a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols. It’s also a good idea to make sure your anti-virus solution is up-to-date.
If you’re concerned that someone has accessed your email or computer, we can help! Please contact us to learn about our computer maintenance, repair, and replacement services.
