Protect your email account before something happens
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Use a strong password. Create a password with letters, upper and lower case, numbers and special characters such as #, ! &, and %. Don’t use your first or last name as part of your password or a phrase that is easy to guess.
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Protect your address and password. Your email ID and password are your confidential information. Don’t tell anyone your password or give them a clue to your password. Do not keep a copy of your email details on the internet or on your system.
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Use the second sign-in verification option if it is available from your email provider. This option looks for suspicious sign in attempts from a new browser other than the one that you originally used to enable this option. If there is a suspicious attempt, the person will need to enter a verification code that will be sent to your cell phone or will need to answer two security questions that you established as part of the process. If you weren’t trying to access your account and you receive the code, you’ll also know that someone was trying to access your account.
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Don’t click on links in an unsolicited email. Legitimate companies never send an email asking you to reset your password or provide personal information by clicking on a link. If you receive an unsolicited email asking you to click on a link, don’t. Instead, go to the company’s website to access your account. (See our Phishing Tipsheet for more information.) Read More…