Avast passwords stopped working password#

Regardless of how it happened, my friend was feeling overwhelmed and vulnerable. Despite reaching out to her email provider, she could not get the help she needed to stop the attackers.

Avast passwords stopped working password#

She changed her password multiple times to take back control of her email account, but the hackers hijacked her email again. Somewhere between her kids buying things online, her email/password being compromised in a data breach, and maybe clicking a phishing link in an email, she found that her email account was hacked and ultimately taken over. My friend’s email account was hacked a few months ago. It happens to millions of Americans every year, and recently, it very nearly happened to a close friend of mine. Then there’s the worst-case scenario: identity theft. This wouldn’t bode well for your reputation, and it could lead to a lot of disgruntled contacts.

Maybe they’ll start spamming your friends via email and social media in an attempt to steal even more information. If that doesn’t work, they can Venmo themselves a lump sum of your money to a fake account and then cash out. They may try to login to your online banking account. Cyberattackers can attempt to pilfer personal data acquired through an online account - including your credit card information. Once hacked, your email can be used for just about anything on the web. A circumspect cyberattacker will even cover his or her tracks (e.g., delete all those password reset emails) in an attempt to mask suspicious activity that would otherwise clue you into the intrusion. And since most password reset requests go directly through email, there really isn’t much you would be able to do to stop it. Think about it: If your inbox has been hijacked, the malicious third party will most likely be able to a) find out what types of services and accounts you’re enrolled in and b) request password resets for one or more of those accounts. But more importantly, it’s the unique identifier for many online account logins, which is the reason it’s still highly targeted by cybercriminals.

For one, email is the most common form of web communication today. Hackers have every reason to want to infiltrate your inbox. Follow these simple tips to keep yours protected.