Yahoo hack: you should do that now
The company Yahoo confirmed that apparently around 500 million records were stolen in a hacker attack. We'll explain what you should do as a Yahoo customer step-by-step.
Yahoo: hacker attack in the corporate network
According to information from the Internet company Yahoo, information from around half a billion customers was apparently stolen illegally. The hackers pretended to be a state and thus got into the corporate network. It was not disclosed which state or state authority is involved.
- The company had confirmed that it should have happened in 2014.
- The hackers stole valuable information such as names, email addresses, telephone numbers, dates of birth and encrypted passwords. The security questions that were used to reset the password were also stolen.
- However, neither plain text passwords nor bank details or credit card details are said to have been stolen.
- At the beginning of August, a hacker in Darknet offered data from around 200 million Yahoo customers, according to the online magazine Motherboard.
Are you a Yahoo customer? You should definitely do that now
Since no one knows exactly which data was stolen and by which customers, it is highly recommended for everyone who has an account with Yahoo to take the following steps.
- The company itself points out that you should change your password - at least if you haven't done so since 2014. We strongly recommend changing your Yahoo password as soon as possible so that no damage can be done.
- We recommend these tips for a secure password so that you are even better protected in the future and that your password cannot be easily cracked even if it is stolen.
- Since information such as security questions has also been stolen, you should change it as well. It's even better to disable security questions. These questions are usually so simple that even your neighbor could answer the questions.
Better safe than sorry: confirmation in two steps
If you want to be on the safe side, you can use two-way authentication at Yahoo. This method works like this: As soon as you want to log into your Yahoo account with a new device, first enter your password and you will also receive a code on your mobile phone, which you must also enter. This will protect your account even better.
- To do this, first log into your Yahoo account.
- Then move your mouse over your name in the top right corner and then click on "Account data". Alternatively, you can also call up the account settings by clicking on the link.
- Now flip the switch at "Confirmation in two steps". You will then need to provide your mobile phone number to receive a security code for the first time.
- Your two-way authentication is now activated.