A hacked email can pose several security issues to one's account logins ranging from hijacked inboxes to losing control of one's social accounts.
With the emails being unique identifiers for most online account logins, a hacker could cover his tracks and mask suspicious activity that may put the victim in jeopardy.
Among the critical threats include, spamming your friends in an attempt to steal information, identity theft, having access to one's online banking account and in turn stealing from them.
This could affect one's businesses, ruin one's reputation or even worse, affect one's online banking account.
How to safeguard your email
Here are ways you can safeguard your email from malicious third parties
1. Set up a two-step verification
Whenever you set up passwords for your accounts always remember to set up two-factor authentification (2FA) to boost the security of your accounts.
This will prevent unauthorized password resets by third parties.
2. Have a unique password
A unique and strong password is likely to save you from 'credential stuffing'- This is a cyber attack n which personal information obtained from a data breach on one service is used to attempt to log into another service.
Hackers tend to cram and master passwords of previous victims in the hope to use the same information to access another person's accounts.
This is because majority of passwords worldwide are identical to one another.
3. Block trackers using VPN
By using a VPN on your computer and phone, you secure your account by limiting tracking by other sources that may pose potential threats to your online accounts.
4. Avoid Public Wi-Fi whenever you can
Performing financial or other transactions using public Wi-Fi is exposing one to the potential threat of being hacked.
Wi-Fi broadcasts data making it accessible to other third parties making you vulnerable to cyber-attack
5. Avoid clicking suspicious links
Often at times, phishers tend to send links through emails or SMS accompanied by captivating texts making it seem authentic.
Downloading or opening the links sent from unknown senders could put you at risk of cyber attack.
