At first I didn't really realize what was going on. It didn't take long before I found that my email server cut off my account.
Apparently someone had hacked into my email, using my password, sending out some message to a pretty long list of email addresses that didn't accept the mails because it was recognized as spam.
I know this happens all the time, but this is the first time it happened to me. Of course, as soon as I realized what was going on I changed my password. I hope that that will be the end of the problem. Some places on the web recommend that I change my email address, but I really hope that I can avoid that.
I can't even contemplate how much work it would be to make sure my address is changed on all the sites I subscribe to-- like the various author blogs and newsletters. I know some people would feel violated and I might get there, but right now I'm just really pissed.
I'm not sure if the person who hacked my account sent mail to any of those attached to my account, but if so I apologize for any inconvenience.
I realize this is all part of our like in the Internet age. Having just my email hacked isn't a big deal in the grand scheme of things really, considering it could have been a bank account or charging on a credit card. Just as fast as technicians come up with ways to keep hackers out, hackers find a way in.
I could rant for hours, but it won't change anything. For now my email address will stay the same, but please keep watching this blog. If I change my email I will try my best to let everyone know, but I'm afraid some will slip through the tracks and I hate to lose track with all those I've met and kept up with through my adventures in the romance novel industry.
That is a bummer. Hasn't happened to me (yet) with email, but I did have someone hack a credit card number!!
ReplyDeleteI got some advice about this. Apparently, if you add an email addy to your address book - something like AA@aaa.com - the address is useless (test it first) and the first email will not be sent. It will come back as undeliverable, therefore advising you that something is trying to send emails out from your account. Also, supposedly, the virus wont be able to work it's way through your address book because it won't be able to move past the first one. I had an attack on an unused addy of mine and I got an undeliverable message. It had some other addys from my address book cc'd and I am not entirely sure it didn't sent the email to those but I think not. Either way, I was alerted.
ReplyDelete