Waste no time--go through this checklist to ensure your online presence is secured
In what can only be described as a hugely irresponsible and senseless act, the TRAI has put not just the email IDs of all the respondents to its consultation paper online, but the entire body of the emails as well. This being a treasure trove of information for hackers, spammers and phishers out there, there is every chance that the email address you used to mail TRAI will most likely be sitting right now in some spammer’s database somewhere.
Being so close to ground zero, it’s likely to take some time before users start noticing an increase in spam messages or email invitations to click links or open attachments. But before that happens, here is a list of must-do actions to protect yourself against what could be a nasty data breach, or worse.
-
Change your email password: First thing, go ahead and change the password to your mail ID (the one you used to email TRAI as well as other mail IDs you use, for good measure.) Be sure to use best practices in choosing a strong password: a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, include numbers and a symbol or two, and do not relate it to something common like a birthdate or phone number.
-
Where possible, enable 2-factor authentication: Also known as two-step verification, most webmail clients (Gmail, Yahoo Mail, Windows Live mail) offer this useful feature. It basically adds another layer to accessing your email above your password. With it enabled, after you log in to your email service you are asked for a passcode. This passcode may be generated via a related app on your smartphone, or you can pre-generate passcodes and keep them on your person (in your wallet for example.) This is similar to your bank sending you an OTP to to complete online transactions. Using two-factor verification makes it that much more difficult for third parties to access your account.
-
Be extra vigilant of attachments or links: This one is a no-brainer--don’t open emails from unknown or suspicious sources, especially those with attachments or links. Even if it is from someone in your contact list. Open attachments only if you completely trust the source or if you were expecting the attachment/link anyway.
-
Did the mail you send to TRAI have a signature with personal information? If it did--details like phone numbers, an address, other mail IDs, a Skype/Twitter handle--monitor these for suspicious activity as well. Spammers and hackers will find ever more creative ways to access these communication touch points, so be aware if you encounter anything even remotely out of the ordinary in these areas.
-
Monitor other web services you use: From your online shopping to travel portals, many of these utilize your email ID as the username. If hackers/spammers have access to your email ID, they may able to guess weak passwords that would grant them access to these sites. Ensure the passwords to these sites are robust--and unique (avoid using one password for all these sites)--and look out for emails you might receive from these sites warning of unsuccessful login attempts from your account. Action these immediately. You may need to monitor your Junk folder more closely as these notification mails may find their way into it.
Finally, Is your mailbox already inundated? If you happen to be particularly badly affected and are swarmed with spam or suspicious messages, you may have no choice but to go nuclear: abandon your account and create a new one.
Stay vigilant, stay safe.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}