Protecting Your E-mail Password from Hackers

April 24, 2010— -- Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin testified Friday against 22-year David Kernell in a Knoxville, Tenn. federal courtroom.

Kernell is accused of hacking into Palin's Yahoo! e-mail account during the 2008 presidential campaign and faces up to 50 years in federal prison if convicted of identity theft, mail fraud and two other felony charges. Kernell claims he merily guessed Palin's password to gain access to her private e-mail account.

Hacking into private e-mail is a serious offense but there are ways of protecting yourself. Take a look at the 20 questions that most people use as the basis for e-mail passwords. Parry Aftab, executive director of Wired Safety.org says if your password can be guessed by answering any of these questions, you should change it:

1. Favorite sports team

2. Where you go to school

3. Pet's name

4. Favorite color

5. Lucky number

6. Date of birth

7. Middle name

8. Favorite animal

9. Favorite movie

10. Favorite band/singer

11. What college do you want to go to?

12. The year you graduate high school

13. Best friend's name

14. Favorite sports player

15. Favorite season

16. Shoe size

17. Favorite clothing store

18. Favorite story

19. Dream car

20. Dream job

Source: WiredSaftey.org