This story is an important reminder of the increasing complexity of cyber scams. It was suspected that the attempt was made possible due to a possible data breach in Coinbase’s third-party partners. If Jacob used the same email and password combination for his other accounts, and the hackers managed to access his main email, multiple other online accounts of his would be at risk.

Remember, it’s not just data breaches you need to worry about. Malware attacks and phishing scams can also hack into your accounts. So, stay alert and take steps to protect yourself.

Secure Your Email After A Data Breach

There are data breaches happening almost every week, putting your information at risk. Some of those are out of our control. But to stay on top of things, it’s a good idea to regularly check if your data has been compromised in a breach. Here are a few immediate steps you should take upon discovering that your email has been breached:

1. Change your password immediately to prevent the hackers from accessing your account. Additionally, update this password on any other accounts where you use the same password to log in (such as online banking or social media) to avoid further compromises.
2. Inform all your email contacts about the breach. Notifying them can help prevent them from falling victim to similar attacks by inadvertently clicking on malicious links sent from your compromised account.
3. Verify and review your account settings. Hackers might have tampered with important settings like your security question and privacy preferences, which could leave your account vulnerable to further unauthorized access.
4. Scan your computer for viruses and malware. It is possible that the hacker infected your machine while gaining access to your email. Running a scan and removing any detected threats promptly will help maintain the security of your data.
5. Consider creating a new email address and deleting the compromised account. By doing so, you can ensure that the hacker no longer has access to your personal information and communications. Be sure to update your new email address with important contacts and online services.

What Can I Do To Prevent A Breach?

If you receive an email from your bank or any financial institution that appears suspicious or fake, it’s best not to click any links within the message. Beware if the email does not originate from your regular banking company and if the sender’s address differs from the official domain used by your bank. This is likely a phishing scam where attackers are using a spoofed domain to deceive you. In the story, although the email looked like it came from Coinbase, Jacob Canfield remained calm and refused to give verification numbers to the random callers. 

If you have suspicions about your account being compromised but are unsure of the entry point, promptly contact the relevant company or service provider. They can assist you in securing your account and mitigating any further potential attacks.

Protect Your Email with Sangu Mail

Email hacks can be a big problem. They usually happen through phishing or compromised passwords. Signs of an email hack include being unable to sign in, unexpected messages in your inbox or sent folder, and reports of spam from your account. To protect yourself, follow email security practices and use a personal email security tool. 

Sangu Mail protects customer email boxes from advanced cybersecurity threats— detecting and blocking spam, phishing, malware, and ransomware attacks before they arrive at your inbox. If you were to receive a similar fake “verification code” email as Jacob did, it would likely be filtered directly into your spam folder. This alone should raise your suspicion and encourage you to act with caution.

Stay vigilant and keep your email accounts safe!

Learn more about Sangu Mail here.