What to do when email account is hacked?

Get an insight on how to get back your hacked email account and stop hackers from further targeting it.

According to a report from Kaspersky, over 50% of cyber attacks in India last year were phishing-related, with a large portion of these attacks coming through email. An alarming one, right?

Are you also waking up to a nightmare—where you see your email account being hacked? Seems natural in today’s scenario.

It’s one of those nightmares we all dread—finding out that your email account has been hacked. At first, you might not even realize something’s wrong until a friend or colleague tells you they’ve received strange emails from your account. Scammers often target email accounts to send out deceptive messages, hoping to trick others into clicking on malicious links, handing over personal information, or even sending money.

What’s scary is that once hackers gain access to your email, they can do a lot of damage. They might use it to impersonate you, steal sensitive details like your bank info, or even use your contacts to spread more scams. The worst part? You might not even know its happening until it’s too late.

In fact, there have been several real-life cases, like the one in 2021 when cybercriminals posed as officials from Harvard University, using fake job offers to scam people. This is exactly why it’s so important to act quickly if you suspect your email has been compromised.

So, how do you protect yourself? And what steps should you take if you find out your email has been hacked? Let’s dive into this topic and walk you through what to do if you ever find yourself in this unfortunate situation.

The Growing Threat of Email Hacks

Email hacking is a serious concern worldwide, and India is no exception. According to Statista, India recorded over 10 million instances of email fraud in 2022 alone. This number continues to grow, as cybercriminals increasingly rely on email as a vehicle for executing scams, phishing attacks, and identity theft. In fact, email fraud accounted for almost 40% of all cybercrime incidents in India last year.

The rise in email hacks is closely tied to the growing sophistication of cyberattacks. Hackers use emails to impersonate well-known organizations, like banks or e-commerce platforms, tricking users into providing sensitive data. These scams, known as phishing, often look like legitimate messages, making it easy for anyone to fall victim.

Even worse, once a hacker gains access to your email account, it becomes their gateway to other accounts—social media, banking apps, shopping sites, and more. A compromised email can lead to identity theft, financial fraud, and even the theft of your personal or professional data. In fact, a report from Norton LifeLock revealed that over 70% of phishing attacks are initiated via email, making it one of the most dangerous types of cyber threats today.

How to Spot an Email Hack

Do you know how to detect if your email has been hacked? Often, hackers don’t make their presence known right away. You might not even realize your account’s been compromised until someone else alerts you. Nevertheless, there are some warning signs to watch out for:

Having trouble logging in: A sign that something is wrong is if you suddenly have difficulty accessing your account. If your password no longer works, it could mean the hacker has changed your credentials to lock you out. As a first step, they usually take control of your account.

Unfamiliar Sent Emails: When you check the messages you sent, do you see emails you didn’t send? You may receive scams or spam messages from your contacts. Hackers may use your account to spread malware or phishing links, further endangering your network.

Strange Activity on Linked Accounts: If your email is compromised, hackers often access other linked accounts—social media platforms, online shopping sites, and even bank accounts. If you notice any unusual activity on these platforms, such as unfamiliar posts on Facebook or Twitter, it’s a sign that your email—and perhaps other accounts—has been breached.

Unusual Account Behavior: Hackers may also change your email settings. For example, they might set up auto-forwarding rules to forward your incoming emails to another address. If this happens, your sensitive emails could go straight to the hacker’s inbox, making it even harder to regain control.

Hacked Email: What to Do

If you discover that your email has been hacked, taking immediate action to prevent further damage is crucial. Here are the steps you can follow:

Change Your Password Immediately: First, you must regain control of your account. If you can still log in, change your password immediately. Choose a strong, unique password with at least 12 characters that includes a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Avoid using common words or phrases. If you can’t access your account because the hacker has changed your password, contact your email provider (like Gmail, Yahoo, or Outlook) for help. You’ll need to verify your identity, but they’ll guide you through recovering your account.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): After resetting your password, it’s time to enable two-factor authentication (2FA). This adds an extra layer of protection by requiring you to enter a one-time code (usually sent to your phone) along with your password. Even if a hacker has your password, they won’t be able to access your account without the second verification step.
Notify Your Contacts: Once you’ve secured your email, it’s time to alert your contacts. Let them know that your account was hacked and advise them to delete any suspicious emails they may have received from you. It’s a bit uncomfortable, but it’s better to warn them now than for them to fall victim to the scam.
Review Your Email Settings: Next, go through your email settings and make sure nothing has been tampered with. Check for any unfamiliar forwarding addresses or changes to your signature or recovery options. Hackers might have set up forwarding to continue receiving your emails or changed your recovery settings to keep you locked out.
Scan for Malware: Run a full scan on your devices for malware or spyware. If the hacker has installed malicious software on your device, you could be at risk for further breaches of your personal data. Use a trusted security program to ensure your devices are clean.
Strengthen Your Digital Security: Now that you’ve regained control, it’s important to protect yourself moving forward. Update all your software to the latest versions to patch any security vulnerabilities. Consider using a password manager to keep your login credentials secure and create unique passwords for each of your accounts.

Protect Your Email with Total Security

Email hacking is a serious issue, and with cybercrime continuing to rise, it’s important to take proactive steps to protect yourself. One of the best ways to keep your email—and all your devices—safe is by using comprehensive security software like Protegent Total Security. Protegent offers advanced protection that helps guard against fraud, phishing, and malware attacks. With features like real-time scanning, secure browsing, and email protection, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing your data is safe from cybercriminals.

Don’t wait until your email is hacked—take action now to secure your accounts with Protegent Total Security. It’s the smart way to defend yourself against the growing wave of online threats and keep your digital life safe.