If you are on of the millions of people who use a free Hotmail email account, it may be time that you changed your password. Microsoft issued a statement last week stating that hundreds of peoples Hotmail account passwords were posted online.

Microsoft are adamant that the information did not get into the wrong hands as a result of any internal security lapses but rather that the data became available to the wrong people through the implementation of an elaborate phishing scheme.

Microsoft has assured people who may have been affected that it is blocking access to all of the affected accounts and that there are measures in place for users to reclaim the use of their accounts.

Funnily enough, October is ‘Cyber Security Awareness Month’ and here we will tell you how you can best protect your online email account.

-          When you set up your account make sure that you enter an alternative email address. This will enable your account provider to email your alternate address should someone try to change your password etc.

-          Always use a different password for your email account than you use for other sites. If another site gets hacked, the hackers may have your email password.

-          Change your password regularly

-          Never use a password that could be easily guessed such as ‘password’

With these procedures, the chance of your account being compromised are minimised. Remember that antivirus software is a must for anybody who uses the internet. Antivirus software will stop your computer becoming infecting with Trojans that may steal your passwords through the use of sophisticated keyloggers etc.