Webmail Accounts Targeted By Internet Scam Artists

Ever noticed that somehow an e-mail message was sent from you, to your friends and family, specifically asking them for money? Hackers and email crooks are using webmail accounts belonging to other computer users to use for email schemes. Basically, these cybercrooks are breaking into such accounts and using the e-mail addresses for the purpose of sending messages bogus messages to computer users on the victims' contact list asking them for money.

Not only are some of these messages convincing to the recipient, but it is a another outlet for cyber criminals to enjoy an extra pay-day at the expense of friends or family listed on your email contacts list. This new method puts a twist on old scam methods.

Spam messages are most often ignored, deleted or caught by a spam filter. Therefore, scammers are using a legitimate email address, one that is not susceptible to being blocked and one that is trusted by the recipient. A very clever way for spreading malware only this time the attackers are getting straight to the point and asking for money

Webmail accounts are a major target because of the value that have. They have unfiltered access to showing up in a person's inbox and being read by the recipient with a certain level of initial trust. Not only will the recipient believe that the email is from a friend or family member, but they may believe the story portrayed in the email and wire money to the sender. In this case, the sender is not the person that they think.

The most common types of logins stolen via keylogger parasites are usually those to access e-commerce sites, financial sites, and webmail. The real bang-for-the-buck for cybercriminals is when they score the login credentials from someone for a financial institution website. They often collect this information through phishing sites, spam emails or even by theft of an email account.

How do you keep your information and login credentials safe?

Try using a different password for each web site that you visit, and be sure to make your passwords difficult to guess. Using a combination of numbers, letters and symbols will help with this. Remember, many computer users will utilize the same password for the majority of their online accounts. Using a strong password that is different on each site that you access will help limit the ability for a hacker to steal your information. If they break into one account and your password is the same for another, then you risk them gaining access multiple accounts which could lead to identity theft.

Do you use safe practices to safeguard your webmail account(s)? Has anyone ever gained access to your webmail account? Share your story and post a comment below.