Your Email is not unhackable: How to keep your inbox compromise your identity

Your Email is not unhackable: How to keep your inbox compromise your identity -

Unfortunately, nobody's email is 100% hack proof. Even the US president is not immune, as President Obama discovered when Russian hackers have infiltrated the unclassified computer system of the White House last year. Although no networks or classified information has been compromised, hackers were able to access and read the correspondence of the president and of some people. They do not do this by directly reading his email, but through email archives of people in the White House with whom he corresponded regularly. No matter who you are, nobody wants to read foreign e-mails that are not intended. This is especially the case if your emails contain information that might seriously compromise your identity if your account was to be raped. You may not be able to completely keep your email from being hacked, but you can take steps to ensure that any potential damage done is minimal.

How to keep your e-mail to compromise your identity

1. Never send emails containing sensitive personal data. Most people are aware to watch out for phishing attempts by foreigners to get your information, but what about the emails you send to people you know? If you would not send anyone your bank account number or social security number in a text message, why would it be safer sent by email? Think twice before sending emails that contain information you do not want a criminal to get their hands on. You might think you're safe if you're corresponding with friends and family members, but none of that will matter if one of your email accounts is hacked. If you need to give personal information, register for in-person or telephone conversation in a private space.

2. Do not use your e-mail to store important information. It may seem a good idea to keep a list of your passwords and logins for different websites or bank account information in the project folder of your email, but this type of information could lead to many problems if your e-mail must be hacked. Email should not be used as a storage space. Instead, consider using a password manager or store important files or information securely with a cloud storage account. It's also wise to empty the old emails, including revenues that may contain financial information or anything else that could be used to commit identity theft or other fraud. If you want to save these emails, you can still save files and upload them to the cloud.

3. Just say "no" to Risqué photos. There can certainly be tempting to send someone special a photo racy for their eyes only, but unfortunately, anyone who accesses your account can easily take these photos and use them for their own. Compromising the photos can wreak havoc on your personal and professional life, so it is best to think twice before taking or sending them. In addition to the opportunity for photos to be stolen if you or the recipient is a victim of email hacking, you have no control over what the other person might do with them once you press the "send" button. If it involves body parts that would be censored on television or a representation of illegal activities, it is best to keep it to yourself.

Want to learn more about keeping you safe online? Visit our blog protect against identity theft for more tips and information.