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As our society becomes increasingly tech-savvy, threats to our cyber security can seem just as dangerous as threats to our home. By gaining access to your email account, hackers may learn your passwords, access your financial records, and obtain a multitude of personal information in a matter of moments.

Roughly one billion Yahoo accounts were hacked following a security breach in 2013. If you currently have or had a Yahoo email account, you may be wondering what you can do to protect yourself. HSI Security is a Dayton, OH-based company offering top-notch home, corporate, and information security solutions to individuals and corporations alike. Below, they answer some frequently asked questions regarding what to do when your account has been hacked.

5 FAQ’s On Information Security & The Yahoo Security Breach

1. How Was Yahoo Hacked In The First Place?

The company was using a now-outdated password storage method known as MD5. The system uses an algorithm to convert plain text passwords into an MD5 hash. With modern computing, it’s easy for hackers to run hashed passwords against a dictionary of password lists and gain access to your personal accounts.

2. How Do I Find Out If My Account Was Hacked?

information securityIt’s hard to say for certain whether or not your account was hacked. However, with one billion hacked accounts, you can safely assume your account was compromised.

3. Why Would Someone Want To Hack My Account?

By gaining access to your email account, a hacker will encounter all sorts of personal data—including financial information. This information can be used for fraud and other malicious purposes.

4. Should I Change My Email Address?

Yahoo has a policy of deleting email accounts that have been inactive for more than a year, so you may not need to change an old email address you no longer use. However, if you were actively using your account around the time of the breach, it’s wise to change your email address and password.

5. How Can I Protect Against Future Threats?

Guard yourself against identity theft and other sorts of criminal activity by changing your email address and passwords. Vary your passwords for different accounts, and use alphanumeric combinations with both capital and lowercase letters. You may also want to migrate to an alternative email service with higher security protections.

For more news about information security, or to enlist HSI Security’s IT security services, call (937) 479-6628 today. Visit their website to learn more about this ever-evolving field.

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