Do you have a Yahoo email? Now is a good time to delete it!

[WoodiE]

In case you've missed the announcement about Yahoo losing 500 MILLION user account passwords, email address, phone number and security questions or that fact they knew about it when it happened TWO years ago and said nothing or did nothing (like force a password reset).

It's now known that Yahoo has allowed the government pretty much all access to their users email accounts and the emails within.

If you have even a little concern for any kind of privacy and have a Yahoo account. Now is a great time to delete your account and use a different email service.

 

[hamz9561]

I actually had to reset every thing on my Yahoo account around that time. I now know why. As far as big brother reading my mail, any public email host can provide that kind of info and is usually compelled to do so.

 

[WoodiE]

I actually had to reset every thing on my Yahoo account around that time. I now know why. As far as big brother reading my mail, any public email host can provide that kind of info and is usually compelled to do so.

If your haven't reset your yahoo password since around that time then you'd be best to at the very least change it now. This data breach is now making its rounds around the internet.

You are partly right about other providers. Some can provide the info requested for individual users. This is NOT the case in yahoo. Instead Yahoo gave full access to every single users mailbox totally disregarding user privacy and the way they did it was even worse. Yahoo went behind there own security team and had developers open a back door for the government. Soon after the yahoo security team finds the hole and said it was done poorly enough that someone other than the government could have used the same access.

No not every company will comply to this broad mass spying, some will fight back, others even close (see company lavabit) and others have user privacy in mind and offer ends to end encryption which even with direct access to their servers would offer nothing to the mass spying.

I have no problem with three letter agencies needing access to a person of interest, but unchecked mass surveillance is an issue, illegal, and unconstitutional.

If you're okay with yahoo's part and current behavior and want zero privacy then by all means carry on.

 

[hamz9561]

I also have 2-step verification activated. My account has been a premium account for a long time and is basically used for social/family. I have other email accounts for use with business and government.

 

[SMaxxin]

I have one but my box has been full for years

 

[slowngreen]

I honestly didn't even know Yahoo was still around.

 

[bobthebob]

All I use my yahoo account for is porn site logins and registering for sites that I think will probably spam me so I'm not too worried.

 

[WoodiE]

All I use my yahoo account for is porn site logins and registering for sites that I think will probably spam me so I'm not too worried.

whoa whoa whoa, you mean to tell me there is porn on the internet?!?!!!!

 

[Rolex]

whoa whoa whoa, you mean to tell me there is porn on the internet?!?!!!!

I've heard that rumor but apparently only kids under 12 have been able to find it.

 

[hamz9561]

I've heard that rumor but apparently only kids under 12 have been able to find it.

And thirty-somethings living in their parents' basements....

 

[WoodiE]

By the way, anyone looking for some privacy centered email services here is a great link to check out: https://www.privacytools.io/#email

 

[ninnon]

I just use Gmail.

 

[Tape]

what about AT&T? its tied in with yahoo

 

[Rolex]

I have AT&T, and I just got hacked last night. Everyone on my list, including me, got some stupid paragraph from a story and a link to a CNN news site.
What's the easiest thing to do, @WoodiE, change the password for now?

 

[hamz9561]

Change your password to a complex one, @Rolex.

 

[WoodiE]

I have AT&T, and I just got hacked last night. Everyone on my list, including me, got some stupid paragraph from a story and a link to a CNN news site.
What's the easiest thing to do, @WoodiE, change the password for now?

You need to change your password for that service. In addition, you also need to change the password at any other service that you use that shares the same password - if you re-use passwords which I hope you don't.

Also are you sure this is a legit email? I haven't seen any news about an AT&T breach... just want to make sure it's not a phishing attempt.

 

[Rolex]

It's all about Yahoo. They are linked with AT&T. I NEVER used anything by Yahoo, but I might consider changing and dumping AT&T.
I've changed my password. You can see the logos are together on the email page.

 

[WoodiE]

Well if AT&T is just now telling you about the Yahoo breach that are pretty slow. But yes the process is still the same, reset your password for your email account as well as any service that shares the same password.

If you're looking for an alternative email service, there are several good ones out there, but I have been using ProtonMail.com and haven't had any problems with them. Privacy focused, encryption, and free.

 

[Rolex]

AT&T didn't tell me anything. Some of my friends called me to ask about the weird email they got from me. I also got it since I keep my email address in the contacts to check if certain pics or links are posting properly by sending it to myself before I send it out.

Here's the text everyone got:

http://www.goo.gl/d9v7KW#@wc=08&dg=231&eu+du&rdlk==82393=
---------
(My email addy here, removed for this post)
Widened out and climbed a hill, after the m. And found themselves in a large pasture.
I clenched my hands, seeking to control my irritation. I attempted a smile.

 

[Tape]

AT&T didn't tell me anything

me either, this is the first I have heard of any of this. Thanks WoodiE!