What is Malware?

Question

Level 1

13 points

What is Malware?

My account with Comcast has been compromised many times. I notice this after I see invalid emails created by someone else. I delete the email, call the provider, and change the password. What causes Malware? I don’t open suspicious email. If I get phising email I never open. If I get email from my bank I never go to my account through the email. I open up a browser and login. I do this for all other emails that look suspicious.

I asked my Comcast how long emails stay on the server. No matter who I talk to they do not have an answer.

My main question is what causes my Comcast account to be compromised? Comcast cannot answer this question.

Posted on Mar 24, 2020 5:24 PM

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Answer 1

TheLittles

Level 10

203,319 points

Mar 24, 2020 6:02 PM in response to Noreen Hetro

Noreen Hetro Said:

"What is Malware? My account with Comcast has been compromised many times.[...]"

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"Malware" is short for Malicious Software. It makes your Operating System act in a mislead manor.

If you think your accounts have become compromised, consider:

modifying your login credentials (Using Both a New eMail and a New Password)

associating a different method of payment to your account

enabling Two-Factor Authentication for Apple ID and for all other accounts that have such an applicable option

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Answer 2

babowa

Level 9

78,568 points

Mar 24, 2020 5:39 PM in response to Noreen Hetro

The scammers/crooks could have easily gotten your email address from another source: hacking into anyone's email account where you are one of the listed contacts or anywhere where you have used your address. They buy legit email addresses so they can send out their emails using a "real" return address.

Once they have your email address, changing your password is good, but a little late. So, the only way to combat this is with the drastic measure of deleting/closing your current email account and creating a new one with a different address and a very difficult password. However, it can easily happen that your email address will be bought/sold again.

Try to use your primary email address only for close friends and do not give it out easily. Then create another we based email account/address for anything/anyone else. You can do Yahoo, Gmail, or just google for "free online email provider". Use that for any website or anyone/any company that wants an email address. That way, you will get the scammers mostly using that one and saves your primary address.

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