protect your email list

Caution and diligence on the internet.
We all wish we didn't have to be concerned, but so much is involved when your email gets hacked. It happened to one of our members this week. A hacker uses your contact list to send emails with the goal of getting personal information getting someone to click a link that installs bad stuff on your computer.

​Always, always, if an email or message looks suspicious, weird, asks for money, or is just out of character with the sender--put it in the trash.

Steps to take if your account was hacked, according to internet security company, Norton.  

1. Change your credentials.
If you do still have access to your account, make these changes right away:
Get a new username and password. Choose a strong password. Secure passwords or passphrases should contain at least 12 characters, including numbers, symbols and a mix of capital and lowercase letters. Use a unique password for every account. Password managers offer an easy and secure way to create complex passwords and to keep track of your login credentials.
Change your security questions. The hacker may have gotten access to your account by guessing the answers to security questions. They could hack your account again if you don’t change these questions and answers. Avoid choosing questions with answers that can easily be guessed or found online. For example, don’t choose “What’s your mother’s middle name?” if your mom routinely uses her first, middle, and last name on social media.
Turn on two-step verification. Also known as multifactor authentication, this extra security measure typically requires you to enter your username and password along with a temporary passcode to get into an account. For example, the service provider may send the one-time passcode to your phone each time you try to log in. Without your phone in hand, a hacker will be much less likely to gain entry into an account that has two-step verification turned on.
 
2. Warn your contacts.
Tell the colleagues, friends, and family in your email contact list that your email has been hacked. Warn them to delete any suspicious messages that come from your account. Also tell them not to open applications, click on links, share credit card information, or send money. It can be embarrassing to let your contacts know you’ve been hacked, but the warning may save them from falling for a scam.
 
Read the full article with more information here: 4 things to do if your email account is hacked | NortonLifeLock