Email Account Hacked? Key Actions You Need to Take Right Now

• by Arlen Fitzpatrick
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What To Do Right Away When Your Email Account is Hacked

Finding out your email has been hacked can throw you into a panic. But even if you spot something fishy—like unfamiliar sent emails or weird password reset requests—the fastest way out is staying calm and acting fast. The sooner you move, the less damage a hacker can do with your personal info or online accounts.

Here’s what should jump to the top of your to-do list:

• Reset Your Password Immediately: Get into your account—use the recovery options if the hacker has changed your password. Try your backup email or phone number to get a reset link or code. Make your new password long and unpredictable, with a mix of characters. Avoid anything that could be guessed like birthdays or pet names.
• Sign Out All Devices: Once you're back in, make sure no one else is still logged in. Most services let you sign out of all sessions from the security settings. This boots the hacker out, too.
• Turn On Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): This puts a firewall between your account and would-be cybercriminals. Choose options like SMS texts, authenticator apps, or a physical security key—anything so that just a password isn’t enough to get back in.
• Double-check Your Recovery Info: Hackers sometimes switch your backup email or phone numbers. Go to your account settings and make sure you control all listed contacts for future recovery attempts.

Cut Off Unauthorized Access and Clean Up the Mess

Regaining access is just the beginning. Now it’s time to dig for any footprints your hacker left behind. Go over these steps in detail:

• Examine All Email Settings: Hackers love to set up sneaky forwarding rules or give themselves access as a 'delegate.' Check for odd rules, forwarding addresses, or permissions in your security settings.
• Review Sent and Trash Folders: Look for messages you didn’t send or delete. Hackers may have sent spam or phishing emails in your name, or wiped evidence to cover their tracks.
• Audit Linked Accounts: Social media and shopping profiles are popular hacker targets. If your email is used to log in elsewhere, check those accounts for weird posts, unauthorized app connections, or changed settings.
• Run a Malware Scan: Hackers might have gotten in through an infected device. Use trusted antivirus software to scan your phone and computer. Remove any threats before logging back into sensitive accounts.

Account security doesn’t stop at just one password change. The fallout of a hack can ripple across other parts of your digital life—even leading to identity theft or financial loss if hackers accessed banking or shopping services. Keep an eye out for new logins, phishing messages, or requests for money from “you” that friends might mention.

If you’re stuck—locked out completely, for example—don’t give up. Platforms like Google and Microsoft want to return your account, but they need proof you’re the owner. Be ready to answer security questions, give details about when you created the account, or name some people you email often. The more details you have, the better your chances.

If things got serious, like a hacker using your email for fraud, report it immediately to the appropriate authorities. Get in touch with your bank if there’s any sign of unauthorized financial activity.

Last tip? Even after you’re back in, keep changing your password regularly—don’t settle for the same old phrase you’ve used since college. Enable 2FA wherever you can and stay alert for any future suspicious activity.