Old Emails, New Cyber Threats

Older email addresses like Hotmail and AOL may seem outdated, but that doesn’t mean they’re less secure. If your inbox is flooded with spam or phishing emails, you might consider switching platforms—but cybersecurity experts say that’s not always necessary. The key to security isn’t the email provider itself but how users take advantage of available protections, like spam filtering, reporting phishing attempts, and enabling multi-factor authentication.

However, if your email has been exposed in a data breach, security risks increase. Cybersecurity experts recommend using strong passwords, third-party anti-phishing tools, and monitoring login history for unusual activity. Websites like Have I Been Pwned allow users to check if their email has been compromised. With over 1.3 billion victim notices from data breaches in 2024 alone, major incidents from companies like Ticketmaster and AT&T have left millions vulnerable to fraud and phishing scams.

AI is making cyber threats more sophisticated, with scammers using it to create more convincing phishing emails and deepfakes. While AI-driven cyberattacks are increasing, security experts also see AI as a defense tool, helping to identify threats, patch vulnerabilities, and strengthen consumer protections. Experts believe that in the long run, AI could play a crucial role in detecting scams and securing online communications, giving consumers a better chance at staying safe.