Anyone know anything about Internet security?

[ck4829]

I had a small crisis last year, and I need some answers as to what happened.

One of the passwords for one of my Yahoo IDs was changed without me initiating it. This particular ID is important as it allows me access to moderate several Yahoo Groups. It took me four days to change the password back and allow me access back into my account. It actually took an incredible feat of remembering as I set up the account back in 2001 and didn't think I would actually need to use the question needed to change my password.

When I accessed my account again, something was odd. No emails were deleted, no emails were sent to anyone else, and perhaps most bizarre there was no confirmation email.

If you've ever changed your Yahoo password before, Yahoo will send you an email notifying you, this email was nowhere to be found.

This was also the first time this has happened, it was also the last. As I know how to keep my IDs and passwords secure, it was really weird that this happened IMO.

Can anyone shine any light on what may have happened?

[Taverner]

1. The password file may have become corrupted

This can happen - even if kept in a hash (where it's encrypted)

Most likely the password file became corrupted, and they did a restore from backup.

[ck4829]

2. I didn't know that this could happen

Thanks for the information.

[Warpy]

3. That is very weird, but it sounds like it's Yahoo's problem

and not yours. You might want to send them an email detailing everything that happened.

Then again, you might find out everything magically appears in a few days.

Yahoo periodically loses my password. I just leave it for a few days and return later to read a few of the groups.

If you had another email address when you signed up, you might want to check it (if it's still there) to see if that's where they sent the confirmation.

On edit: you might want to post stuff like this in the computer forum, else it will get banished to the lounge.