Security

Worst Security Threat: Your E-mail!

Don't put all your eggs in the same basket!

By Alexandru Dumitru, Security News Editor

1st of October 2007, 09:33 GMT

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Don't put all your eggs in the same basket!

Having the latest security programs doesn't seem to help much. One of the biggest threats to your security is your own hand, so to say�well, I'm actually talking about your e-mail. Maybe you think that I'm paranoid, but I bet you won't say the same

after reading this article!

Based on the fact that hackers can do just about anything if they have the right skills/tools for it and exploit the right flaw or use the right tactics, your e-mail address is your worst liability, and here's why. If you're using the web for a lot of purposes, then you're bound to have a lot of accounts. Many sites send your account credentials to the e-mail address you specified. Also, I guess that you've used the password recovery option more than once. So, basically, if you do don't delete these e-mails, your inbox is filled with your own personal details. Should one user get a hold of your e-mail password, then he gets a hold of your whole web identity!

So, the best thing to do is to delete credential-based e-mails, right after you read them. Also, I would advise you to delete any other important e-mails you might get, after reading them. If it's something really critical, then just print it and then delete it. It's a lot safer than just letting it lie around in your inbox. You could have a lot of problems, should one hack your e-mail and get their paws on your sensitive information. Do not store important data on your mail! Cleaning unimportant messages every once in a while won't hurt either.

Also, another important thing I would advise you to do is not write your e-mail address on the web, using an @. Spammers use bots that crawl the web in search of e-mail addresses. So, if you must post it somewhere do it like this "email [at] address [dot] com". Learn to protect your email address and you'll be safe!

TAGS:

e-mail | security | threats | hacking

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