
Today, cybersecurity is advancing by leaps and bounds, and many companies are aware of the need to take steps to ensure the security of online information. However, despite the hard work of IT security professionals around the world, data breaches occur at an alarming rate and are more likely than ever to have a direct and tangible impact on users whose accounts have been compromised.
If you have a doubt that your Bellsouth email account is being hacked, then here is what you can do to recover it.
What to do if your email is compromised?
- Change the password for all emails immediately
This includes, but is not limited to, your infected Bellsouth email, software login, and password for your online account- all of these. Don’t skip any step. If you make a mistake of reusing one or another password, then it is very important to do so – especially if the password happens to be a compromised password. Today, most accounts are interrelated – for example, if you want to request a password exchange on one of your accounts, you might receive a new password on another account. That’s why even if the scammer does manage to get one foot in, it’s crucial that you refuse to access all of your data from then on.
- View the content of an email that has been violated
Doing so may prove to be a lot of work, but it cannot be emphasized. Make sure you know exactly what the scammers who are doing this can get. It may be as harmless as a friendly teasing and discussion about an orphan kitten, or as serious as your home address, mortgage file, social security number, a confirmation email containing the current password for your other important accounts. It is important that you take steps to figure out what the scammer might have.
- Take quick and decisive steps to prevent any information contained in the infected email from coming back to bite you
If the account is associated with any of your other accounts – please cut these links. Create another account and link all related secondary accounts to it. Double-check all the files that the scammer can currently access. What can the personal details in these files be used for? Consider how you use this information yourself and how it can be used to cause damage. Contact all relevant entities that contact you through this account, whether they are private citizens, companies or public agencies, and continue to ask them as to what steps can be taken to maintain your safety.
- Check your Bellsouth email settings
Make sure your email’s sending and replying addresses are correct. Check your account’s filters for unknown filters – disable any filters you haven’t installed since they may be used to tamper with your online security. The scammer may have changed these values to redirect your email. Also – check your signature. The spammer may have inserted a phishing or other contaminated link into the signature. Check your outbox for emails you don’t remember to send, as well as trash and spam folders for suspicious activity. Finally, double-check your contacts and be sure to get rid of any issues you can’t explain.