Hacked email account

1.Use Gmail for your email, or, if you don't like it, just use anything other than AOL. its like writing checks: not bad, but outdated technology with which its easy to commit fraud.

2. When choosing passwords, choose something like 2xk7lnRw&4 instead of the name for your kid/pet

3. Don't use the same passwords for everything, and change them every once in awhile. If you have trouble remembering what they are, just write them down and keep them somewhere safe. (apart from the compu)

4. No legitimate anyone ever asks for your information in an email. Not your bank, not ebay, not amazon, nobody. Never give out user names, passwords, or any personal information even if it is solicited in an email containing an official logo.

5. Don't store credit card information or anything of a financial nature in the "archives" of your email. Delete it, and empty your "deleted" email file periodically as well (most will auto-dump every 30 days or so)

6. Keep track of your bank accounts' online statements. My credit card number has been stolen a few times (not used here in Panama) and I caught it early each time because I look at my online statements regularly.

7. Don't use public computers or unsecured connections to look at sensitive information. Don't enable sharing if prompted by a popup. Don't download files that are not verified and if you do, always choose "custom install" and disable all apps by unchecking their boxes

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- Keith Woolford April 23, 2014 at 2:35pm
  
  Maybe he heard you've been known to fuel a nuclear reaction.
Safe Home Security of Panama April 23, 2014 at 11:50am

Happened to me also several months ago...a real bummer.

They are really getting cleaver with all their cyber scams.
Susan Frank April 23, 2014 at 7:49am

i am not an aol user but have received 4 hacked emails in the past week.

what is the recommendation to avoid being hacked?

does using 'bcc' in emails help resolve at least some of this?
- Lux > Susan Frank April 23, 2014 at 12:29pm
  
  1.Use Gmail for your email, or, if you don't like it, just use anything other than AOL. its like writing checks: not bad, but outdated technology with which its easy to commit fraud.
  
  2. When choosing passwords, choose something like 2xk7lnRw&4 instead of the name for your kid/pet
  
  3. Don't use the same passwords for everything, and change them every once in awhile. If you have trouble remembering what they are, just write them down and keep them somewhere safe. (apart from the compu)
  
  4. No legitimate anyone ever asks for your information in an email. Not your bank, not ebay, not amazon, nobody. Never give out user names, passwords, or any personal information even if it is solicited in an email containing an official logo.
  
  5. Don't store credit card information or anything of a financial nature in the "archives" of your email. Delete it, and empty your "deleted" email file periodically as well (most will auto-dump every 30 days or so)
  
  6. Keep track of your bank accounts' online statements. My credit card number has been stolen a few times (not used here in Panama) and I caught it early each time because I look at my online statements regularly.
  
  7. Don't use public computers or unsecured connections to look at sensitive information. Don't enable sharing if prompted by a popup. Don't download files that are not verified and if you do, always choose "custom install" and disable all apps by unchecking their boxes
BJ Allen April 22, 2014 at 10:24pm

It seems all of us who use AOL email have suffered the same fate and I am not sure changing passwords will fix the problem long term. AOL does not seem to be as secure as other email servers, I have heard. Good luck,
BJ Allen

This reply was deleted.

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