<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 14 (filtered medium)"><style></style></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1>Al,<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p>Preventing hacks is partially a matter of careful computer use.  Anyone with any style of computer can get an e-mail account hacked, as the most common causes are:<o:p></o:p>- Responding to or following a link in a fraudulent e-mail message<o:p></o:p>- Clicking OK on warning screens too early without reading the warning carefully<o:p></o:p>- Users who create very simple passwords<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p>None of these are affected by the type of operating system or web browser.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p>The response that using web mail is more dangerous is not accurate, in my opinion. All e-mails reside “in the cloud” out on computer servers somewhere.  They are either accessed via e-mail software using secure connections, or they are accessed using a web browser through an encrypted web page.  Both methods scramble the information during transit, and they both require a password  to get connected and make the data move to your computer screen.  If someone gains the password to your account, you have been hacked no matter how you read your mail.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p>So . . . <o:p></o:p>- change your e-mail password occasionally (a couple times a year is OK as a rule), and change it immediately if you suspect something bad is going on.<o:p></o:p>- Use a strong password.  Passwords that use a mixture of upper case, lower case, numbers, and special characters are very strong.  Man*1n0 would be an example of a fairly strong password, although making it longer would be even better.<o:p></o:p>- If a web site pops up a lot of nasty windows, or Windows itself pops up a warning about a web site, be suspicious.  If pop-up windows from a web page won’t close, forcing the web browser to close (using Windows Task Manager, accessed by CTRL-ALT-DEL keys, or by right-clicking on the task bar).  Never go to that page again.<o:p></o:p>- Be VERY careful about clicking on links in an e-mail message.  They can be spoofed – the link in the message can look like one address, but it can actually take you to another.  So be very careful.<o:p></o:p>- Never believe e-mails that tell you to visit a web site to update your password!  These are almost always false, and dangerous.  If you suspect it might be valid, then go to the web site mentioned yourself and log in normally, without following any links in the e-mail, then check to see if it needs to be updated.<o:p></o:p>- Update your computer using the included update function.  Do not believe any update notice sent via e-mail or from a web page.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p>In Windows, definitely use good Anti-Virus / Firewall software.  Personally I think Norton Internet Security is the best, but some disagree because Norton is the most popular, so it gets attacked sometimes.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p>Don Mannino<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p><o:p> </o:p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'>From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] On Behalf Of Al Guecia/Allied PianoCraft Sent: Monday, February 27, 2012 5:41 AM To: Pianotech Web Pianotech Web; Pianotech List Subject: [pianotech] OT for Duaine H<o:p></o:p></div></div><o:p> </o:p>There is a lot of email hacking going on lately. Can you give us a short "what to do" if it happens.<o:p></o:p><div><o:p> </o:p><div><div>Al -<o:p></o:p></div><div>High Point, NC<o:p></o:p></div><div><o:p> </o:p></div><o:p> </o:p></div><o:p> </o:p></div></div></body></html>