:format(avif))
:format(avif))
Have you recently received a strange email claiming there was an attempt to change your email password or asking you to confirm a login from a new location? If so, your email may have been targeted by cybercriminals or even hacked. But how can you be sure? Let us show you how to uncover the truth and take back control.
Contents:
Signs that your email could have been hacked
It’s not always immediately obvious that your email has been hacked, but there are signs you can look for that should alert you if something is wrong. Here’s what to watch out for:
Unexpected password change notifications
If you receive a notification or email saying that your password has been changed, and it wasn’t your doing, it’s highly likely that someone has taken over your email account. After all, who else could have done it? If you haven’t shared access to your email with anyone before, this situation should raise a major red flag. Additionally, if you receive messages indicating that someone is trying to change your password, stay alert as clearly someone is targeting your account and attempting to break in.
Login alerts from unknown locations or devices
Another disturbing message you might receive is about a successful login to your email account from an unfamiliar location or device. If you haven’t recently changed your computer or mobile phone, or you’re not on holiday somewhere far from home, this could mean that someone has bypassed your email security and gained access to your account. Treat every such notification very seriously.
Emails you didn’t send appearing in your “Sent” folder
The “Sent” folder in your email account should only contain messages you remember sending to your contacts. If you notice emails you don’t recognize, it could indicate that someone has hacked your account and is using it to send malicious messages that appear to come from you.
Strange or missing emails in your inbox
Having weird, unknown emails in your “Inbox” folder is also a sign of a potential email break-in. The same applies if you cannot find a specific email that you are certain was there before. So, if your inbox contains unfamiliar messages or is missing something, stay vigilant—it may indicate that your email account has been hacked.
Complaints from contacts about receiving spam from you
Have any of your friends told you they got a strange email from you saying you’re in trouble and need money? Or maybe one of your contacts got a message asking for your or their personal information? If you haven’t sent any messages like that, but people are getting them from your email, it could mean someone’s hacked your account and is using it to try and scam the people you know.
Being locked out of your email account
If you can’t log in to your email on any device you usually use, it might mean someone’s hacked your account and changed the password to lock you out. Unless you’ve forgotten your password or made a typo, take this seriously and assume your email’s been hacked.
How to check if your email has been hacked
To verify if your email account has been compromised, you’ll want to keep an eye out for the signs we’ve mentioned earlier and also do a little digging on your own.
First off, review your login activity. Most email providers, like Google, Yahoo, and Microsoft Outlook, allow you to check your account’s login history, including the IP address, device, location, date, and time of your recent logins. If anything looks unfamiliar, that’s a red flag.
Next, check for any strange, unexpected activity in your email inbox and the “Sent” folder. Go over the messages from the past few days/weeks and see if there are any phishing emails sent from your account or password reset emails you didn’t request. If something feels off, make sure to secure any accounts that might be affected.
Also, it’s a good idea to see if anyone outside your trusted circle has been granted permissions linked to your email, or if your account has been used to sign in to any services you don’t recognize.
Lastly, you can use online tools, like the Data Breach Scanner from NordPass, to check if your account has been exposed. Simply enter your email address, and the tool will scan the dark web for any mentions to determine if it is at risk.
What to do if you suspect your email has been hacked
If you suspect your email has been hacked, you might be wondering, “What do I do now?” Fortunately, you’re not left helpless—you can take steps to regain access to your account. Here are some things you should do:
Change your email password right away to prevent unauthorized access. TIP: Use NordPass’ online Password Generator to create a new, strong password in no time.
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA), so that logging in to your email requires more than just a password.
Use the “Log out of all devices and sessions” option to ensure anyone who’s gained access is immediately logged out.
If you can’t access your account, report the issue to your email provider right away. They’ll help you restore access and block any outsiders from using your account.
If you need more information, we have another article titled “What to do if a scammer has your email address,” which provides detailed instructions on how to proceed when an unauthorized party has taken control of your email account.
How to prevent your email from being hacked
There’s no single technique you can use to protect your email from being hijacked, but combining a few methods can significantly boost your email security. First, how safe your email is depends largely on your online activities and how you share sensitive information. If you're careful about where and with whom you share your email address, you're off to a good start.
For an extra layer of protection, a password manager like NordPass can be a game-changer. Not only can it keep all your passwords—including your email password—safe in an encrypted vault, but it can also generate strong passwords on the spot. If your email password is weak or outdated, NordPass will notify you. Plus, with the Data Breach Scanner feature, you’ll get an alert if your email is compromised in a data breach. NordPass also includes Email Masking, which lets you use a fake email address when signing up for services or newsletters, protecting your real email from exposure.
So, if you want to enhance your email security and feel more confident online, NordPass is the way to go. Try the free 14-day trial and see how it can improve your online experience.