It’s happened. Your inbox has been compromised, and you’re in a panic. Maybe a friend alerted you about strange messages coming from your email, or you noticed unusual activity yourself. It’s crucial to act quickly to minimise the damage and regain control.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on what you need to do immediately.
1. Change Your Password Immediately
The first step is to secure your account with a new password. Make sure it’s strong and unique, combining upper and lower case letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using obvious details like your name or birthdate. If the hacker has already changed your password, initiate a password reset using your recovery email or phone number.
2. Check for Unauthorised Activity
Once you regain access, review your sent folder, trash, and recent activity. Look for unfamiliar logins or messages you didn’t send. Hackers often hide their tracks, so be thorough. If you spot anything suspicious, take note and report it to your email provider.
3. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Add an extra layer of security to prevent future breaches. Enabling 2FA means verifying your identity with a secondary device, like your phone, whenever you log in. This extra layer of protection makes it much harder for hackers to access your account, even if they have your password.
4. Update Recovery Options
Ensure your recovery email address and phone number are correct. Hackers sometimes alter these details to lock you out of your account permanently. By updating them, you create a safeguard in case the issue recurs.
5. Scan for Malware
Hackers often use malware to gain access to your information. Run a full scan on your device using a trusted antivirus program. If malware is detected, remove it and consider changing your passwords again as a precaution.
6. Inform Your Contacts
If hackers have used your email to send spam or phishing messages, your contacts are at risk, too. Tell them what happened and advise them not to click on any suspicious links or attachments they might have received from your email.
7. Secure Your Other Accounts
If your email was hacked, other linked accounts could also be vulnerable, especially those sharing the same password. Change the passwords for your important accounts, like banking, social media, and work-related services, to something unique and strong.
8. Monitor Your Accounts
After regaining control, stay vigilant. Keep an eye out for any unusual activity across your online accounts and emails. Consider setting up alerts for suspicious login attempts or changes in your account settings.
9. Report the Breach
Lastly, inform your email provider about the breach. Most providers have a support team dedicated to handling such incidents. They may offer additional guidance or tools to protect your account further. If your compromised email is used for work, inform your IT department immediately.
Don’t wait until it’s too late—take these steps to protect yourself and prevent further damage. In a world where cyber threats are growing more sophisticated every day, vigilance and quick action are your best defences.
