Recently I have received some spam emails from my friends. Their accounts were hacked and were used to send spams to all their contacts. I wonder how can we protect our Gmail accounts from being hacked? besides the following: - have a strong password (e.g. 8 characters, big and small letters plus numbers) - don't use your Gmail password anywhere else - access your Gmail account only from your own computer - use a safe browser (e.g. Firefox 3.x) - always have an antivirus software activated and up to date - the same with an anti-spyware program Any more tips that can keep me safe?
- Don't use Gmail ? Seriously, the only tip I could add here is to use Linux - most of these hacked accounts aren't really hacked but stolen from your computer ..
change your pass every X weeks... even if the bast*rds get your pass they are likely to no be using it immediately but will need a few more days to collect other mails (or sell them to interested parties) and then launch abuse...
find software and scan your PC for keyloggers and spyware. never click links or open attachments sent to you by email from strangers. change passwords semi-regularly.
Some of the account that are being hacked is because they provide true information about themselves. Try not to provide your true personal info in your Gmail account, it's effective. But make sure you jot down in piece of paper the info that no one can find it.
You have to enable secure browsing in Gmail too. Read this article: http://www.thepankajgupta.com/2010/08/how-to-make-your-gmail-account-more-secure/