This morning, I woke to find my email account had been hijacked.
It didn't unleash a virus on my computer or infect recipient operating systems, but Cotome, a Chinese electronics company, sent emails to everyone in my contact list under the guise of a friendly email from me. Requesting readers visit Cotome's Web site for the latest in "high quality electrical products," Cotome sent messages to everyone I know and then some.
I opened my email to find a long list of "undeliverable" email returns; essentially, Cotome's Internet hacker sent the same standard email to real and fake email addresses alike.
So, now, what to do? Kill the account altogether? Blame Hotmail for a breach in their security? Track down a live person behind Cotome? Or simply move on?
One friend suggested changing my email password. Assuming Cotome hacked into Hotmail's security system and accessed my password, if I change it, problem solved right?
Unraveling more than a decade of my emailing interaction in one simple hijacking, Cotome may very well force me to give up the email address I've used for over a decade.
OnMilwaukee.com staff writer Maureen Post grew up in Wauwatosa. A lover of international and urban culture, Maureen received a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
After living on the east side of Madison for several years, Maureen returned to Milwaukee in 2006.
After a brief stint of travel, Maureen joined OnMilwaukee.com as the city’s oldest intern and has been hooked ever since. Combining her three key infatuations, Milwaukee’s great music, incredible food and inspiring art (and yes, in that order), Maureen’s job just about fits her perfectly.
Residing in Bay View, Maureen vehemently believes the city can become fresh and new with a simple move across town.
