Unstoppable Hackers: Breaking Into Email Accounts

It seems hackers are virtually unstoppable when it comes to hacking into email accounts lately. You have probably heard about the latest attack on Sarah Palin’s yahoo email account and you are probably wondering if your yahoo account is safe. Many security experts believe it was a matter of various hackers guessing Palin’s password or possibly utilizing personal information to retrieve a new password. Either way, hackers have scored a major touchdown and we are stuck with only a field goal in identifying what really happened.

Sophos, a security vendor, did a video demonstrating what may happen with a hacker attacking an email account such as in the case of Sarah Palin’s email. It goes on to explain a contrast in Paris Hilton’s mobile phone hack against the Sarah Palin attack.

I’m not worried about Palin’s email, how do I protect myself?

A first step is avoid giving out personal information. We know that if you are running for office your personal information is all over the internet up for grabs but most of us are not in that situation so we can guard our personal effects. Using an effected password is also recommended. Utilizing a password that has numbers, capital letters and a non-dictionary word or phrase is also a good step in the right direction. Lastly, when you use an unsecure network it gives hackers easy access to your computer such as in the case of a public Wi-Fi.