Your email is the gateway to your digital life — bank accounts, social media, subscriptions, and even work tools. If a hacker gets access, they can steal your identity, scam your contacts, or lock you out completely.
But how do you know if your email has been hacked? This guide shows you the clear warning signs, how to confirm a breach, and the steps to secure your account.
🚨 7 Warning Signs Your Email May Be Hacked
1. 📤 Unusual Sent Messages
Your contacts are receiving emails you didn’t send — usually spam, strange links, or requests for money.
2. 🔑 Password Doesn’t Work Anymore
You’re suddenly locked out of your email account, even though your password was correct before.
3. 📬 Inbox Has Suspicious Activity
- Emails marked “read” that you didn’t open
- Deleted messages
- New folders you didn’t create
4. 📲 Login Alerts from Unknown Locations or Devices
Most email services notify you when someone logs in from a new device or region. If that wasn’t you — red flag!
5. 🧾 Account Recovery Info Has Been Changed
Check if your recovery email or phone number was updated — this is a hacker’s way of locking you out permanently.
6. 🔁 You Receive Password Reset Emails for Other Accounts
Hackers use your email to reset passwords for connected accounts like Facebook, Paytm, or banking apps.
7. 🧠 You’re in a “Have I Been Pwned?” Database
Use https://haveibeenpwned.com to see if your email appeared in a known data breach.
✅ What To Do If Your Email Is Hacked
🔒 1. Change Your Email Password Immediately
- Use a strong, unique password with numbers, symbols, and upper/lowercase
- Avoid reusing old or similar passwords
🧠 2. Check for Forwarding Rules or Auto-Replies
- Hackers often set up rules to forward your emails to themselves
- Remove any filters or rules you don’t recognize
📱 3. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
- Go to your email’s Security Settings
- Add your phone number or use an authenticator app
🧹 4. Review Account Recovery Info
- Verify that your recovery email and phone haven’t been changed
- Revert if you see unfamiliar contacts
🛡️ 5. Scan Your Devices for Malware
- Use free tools like Malwarebytes or Windows Defender
- Sometimes hackers get access via infected computers
🔄 6. Check Other Linked Accounts
- Change passwords for accounts linked to your email (bank, social media, Amazon, etc.)
- Check for unauthorized login activity
👥 7. Notify Your Contacts
Let your friends, colleagues, or clients know not to click on any strange links they received from your email.
💡 Pro Tips to Prevent Future Email Hacks
| Tip | Why It Helps |
|---|---|
| Use 2FA everywhere | Adds an extra login barrier |
| Use a password manager | Generates and stores strong logins |
| Don’t click suspicious links/emails | Avoid phishing scams |
| Log out on shared/public devices | Prevents hijacking |
| Regularly update passwords | Prevents access after breaches |
🧠 What if Your Recovery Options Are Gone?
If the hacker changed your backup email and phone:
- Visit your email provider’s “Account Recovery” page
- Submit identity verification (ID proof, old password, etc.)
- Gmail users: https://accounts.google.com/signin/recovery