You think identity theft couldn’t happen to you? My guess is that if it can happen to vice-presidential candidate Gov. Sarah Palin, it can happen to just about anyone.
David Kernell, 20, was indicted today for hacking into Palin’s Yahoo e-mail account September 16. Kernell isn’t a computer genius. He had just little bits of Palin’s personal information, but that’s all it took to commit what might be the most-widely publicized e-mail hacking to date.
All it took was a click on the “reset my password” button, and he was halfway there. Then, he just answered a simple question like, what’s your zip code? Or, what’s your maiden name? He was in.
Now, consider the information that could be mined from your own e-mail account. Do you communicate financial information via e-mail to your bank? How about to your spouse? And, those embarrassing photographs you took of your partner as he got out of the shower; how would you (or your partner) feel about seeing those on My Space?
How to protect your account with a password
First of all, you have to at least have your e-mail account password protected. Anytime you choose a password, it should have upper and lowercase letters, numerals and special characters. Make it something easy to remember, something like “Cul8r!”
If you’re forced to answer silly zip code or maiden name questions, change it up a little. Use the zip code of your first apartment or your childhood home. What’s your mother’s maiden name? Answer with an Indian maiden name, Pocahontas, for instance.
This sort of protection isn’t going to keep you safe from a hardcore hacker. But it will keep out an amateur looking for an easy mark.
For real identity theft protection, you need LifeLock. They’ll protect your money, your credit, identity and your good name. Visit their website at LifeLock.com. For the best available price on their award-winning services, use the LifeLock promo code Defense. Join the other 1.5 million Americans who take their security seriously.
