E-Mail Crooks Target Webmail Accounts
Imagine having to explain an e-mail message that asks your friends for money--a message sent from your Webmail account. (Webmail refers to any e-mail service you use via a Web browser rather than through an e-mail client.) That's exactly what's happening: Scammers are breaking into such accounts and, from those addresses, sending e-mail messages to the victims' entire contact list. The messages often tout a Web site (such as an e-commerce site), or even ask for money directly.
By Erik Larkin
To address this problem, take two steps: First, use a unique password for your Webmail account. Free browser tools such as Password Hash can consolidate passwords. Second, when signing up for new accounts, use a "disposable" e-mail address--something AddressGuard, a feature in the premium Yahoo Mail Plus service ($20 per year), offers. Anonymizer's Nyms service works with any e-mail account; it's also $20 per year.
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