Email hacking remains a threat. An email that’s been compromised can cause issues such as fraud, improper payments, and the theft of your data. As per the Egress Email Security Risk Report 2024, 94% of respondents were hit by phishing attacks – an increase of 2% from last year. Verisk also reports that there were more than 20,000 business email compromise claims in 2023 totaling $2.9 billion in losses for business.
Due to the sophistication of phishing and distribution of malware, email security is also an important concern for both businesses and individuals. Staying informed about the latest vulnerabilities can help you to keep hackers at bay and safeguard your online identity.
How To Act If Your Email Is Pwned.
So how can you prevent more damage and secure your account in case your email is hacked? Follow these instructions:
Get an Antivirus Program to Run
Perform an antivirus scan to detect and remove malware. It is vital to have good antivirus software in place to avoid malware remaining on your computer. You can prevent the threat before it gets worse with frequent scans.
Change Your Passwords
New complicated passwords are needed for your email and online accounts. Give your passwords more characters, numbers, and symbols. Never use trivial stuff like birthdays or simple words. Think about using a password manager to create and store individual passwords for each.
Turn On Multi-factor Authentication (2FA)
Give your account an additional layer of protection. That is when you have 2 different forms of authentication like password and phone verification code and this allows for a much more secure account, even for hackers with access to your password.
Review Account Settings
Be aware of any unauthorized modifications or activities. Search for clues that your email settings have changed – forwarding addresses, for example, or your recovery settings. Back up all non-authorized settings, and watch your account for further hacks.
Scan for Malware
Be sure to remove all the virus software. Malwares are used by hackers to gain access to data and take over your computers. Keep updating your antivirus and perform scans to find and clean the virus out of your computer.
Update Security Questions
False but memorable answers are also helpful for protection. This is because passwords are reset via security questions, so make sure the answers to your security questions aren’t readily available through social media. Select responses that you, alone, would know, but don’t involve real-world personal data.
Notifying Your Contacts
Quickly notifying your contacts also keeps others from being hacked and compromised. These are some of the things that you should do:
Notify Them Immediately
Get to your contacts early enough to keep them from being ripped off with spam. Taking the appropriate steps promptly will prevent any further compromise and let your contacts know you’re taking care of the matter.
Provide Clear Information
Tell them that your email has been compromised and they should NOT open suspicious links or attachments. Keep your message clear and concise so you don’t get it confused and that people in your network know how serious the issue is.
Change Your Passwords
Replace the password on your infected email account immediately. It’s an important first step in taking back control of your account and stopping future unauthorized usage. Make sure your new password is unique and not for another account.
Choose a Safe Source
Make sure the phone from which you are sending these notifications is secure. Check your system for malware before sending alerts using an antivirus scan. This will make your announcement look trustworthy and you don’t risk your contacts.
Check the Account Options and Activity
Check your settings and activity for unauthorized edits. You’ll be able to see if something looks suspicious, and then respond to secure your account immediately with regular checks.
Email Notification Sample
Here is a sample that you can use to notify your contacts:
Hello,
It’s me, [Your Name] and I am writing to tell you that my email has been compromised. My password has been reset and I have backed up my account. Delete any unsolicited emails I sent and don’t click on any links. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Thank you,
[Your Name]
More Steps to Lock Your Account
When you take extra precautions to keep your account secure you avoid further attacks:
Contact Credit Agencies
Inform them to keep an eye on your accounts for fraud. Make sure you do because if you don’t, hackers might steal the data to steal your identity and create accounts under your name. You can submit a fraud alert with major credit bureaus to caution lenders to go the extra mile to confirm your identity before offering you credit.
Look Into ID Protection Services
These are services that can provide you with real-time tracking and help during identity theft. ID Protection Services can notify you if your accounts show signs of suspicious activity and assist you to do something quickly to avoid further issues. They even support and assist you in recovering.
Data Protection on Secure Devices and Cloud
Scan your devices for viruses, secure your cloud files, and reset your passwords. Always take care of securing all devices linked to your email address, so hackers can’t find the rest of your digital life. Update your software and firmware regularly so that your machines always have the most recent patches.
Learn About The Most Common Hacking Techniques
Phishing attacks, cyber-attacks, public Wi-Fi networks, password crackers – all of them are prevalent threats. Learning these techniques will equip you to spot a threat before it gets to you. Keep up with the current security protocols and apply them to your daily life.
These are some methods to keep your email and your contacts safe. Early intervention can prevent more harm, and bring security. Check and change your security settings as needed so as not to run into problems in the future.
