Your email could be hacked right now
There is shocking news going around that 62,000 Koreans’ email accounts and passwords have been leaked and are being traded.
What’s even more shocking is that your account may already be being secretly looked into by someone. The problem, however, is that hacking is not always prevented by simply changing your password or using two-step verification.
This is because hackers are targeting hidden vulnerabilities within the email settings called ‘Allow external program access.’
What happened?
Recently, an article was posted online that the email account information of tens of thousands of Koreans is being distributed on the dark web. The price is also ‘so cheap’ that it makes the actual leak more likely.
What’s the biggest problem?
There are cases where your email account is hacked and security alerts do not appear. This is because the hacker accessed it using an external email program (IMAP, POP3, etc.) rather than the usual method.
Two settings to check immediately
1. Allow external program accessstar_border
After logging into your email account on your PC, go to Preferences or Mail Settings. Check the IMAP/POP3 or external mail program access permission items. It should be set to “Disabled” to be safe. What if it’s set to “In Use”? There’s a high chance that someone has already remotely looked into your email.
2. App password issuance record
Some mail services issue a separate ‘app password’ for external access. This must also be deleted or deactivated.
Simply changing your password is not enoughstar_border
Most people only change their password and do 2-step verification when they suspect hacking, but if external email access is allowed, hackers can still invade. ✅ For a truly complete blocking, all three of the following are necessary. 1. Change your password immediately 2. Set up 2-step verification 3. Block external program access (change to not using IMAP/POP3)