If you suspect that your email has been compromised, your initial reaction might be to contemplate on the subsequent course of action.
The solution is to remain composed and take proactive measures. There are five steps that can aid in thwarting or lessening any potential harm caused by an infiltrated account.
So why do cybercriminals target email accounts? The reality is, that email account of yours is a goldmine. It likely houses years of correspondences with acquaintances and kin. Not to mention additional emails from financial institutions, e-commerce websites, healthcare providers, contractors, professional contacts, and more. Altogether, your email consolidates a substantial amount of personal data in one location, rendering your email account a prime target for hackers.
Let’s delve into the indications of a compromised email account, along with strategies you can implement to prevent such compromises from occurring in the first instance.
Signs that your email account has been infiltrated
You are unable to access your email account
This is self-explanatory. Upon attempting to check your email, you discover that your login credentials have been declined. Despite inputting the correct password, you are denied access. It’s plausible that a hacker has acquired your password, logged in, and subsequently altered the password — thereby locking you out and giving them control over your account.
One of your acquaintances inquires, “Did this email truly originate from you?”
Hackers frequently compromise email accounts to disseminate malware on a large scale. By sending emails to everyone in your compromised contact list, they can circulate counterfeit, malware-infested emails to numerous individuals. Some of these emails can appear unconventional. They deviate significantly from the style or content typically associated with the sender — you — leading some of your contacts to question the legitimacy of the emails.
On the flip side, this underscores the importance of refraining from opening unexpected attachments. Similarly, if you receive a somewhat unusual email from a friend or professional acquaintance, it would be prudent to inform them. You may be the first to notice that their email has been compromised.
What steps to take if my email has been infiltrated? And how to prevent future breaches
1) Utilize your email provider’s retrieval service
Many email providers feature dedicated web pages for regaining access to your account in the event of a lost or stolen password. (For instance, Google offers such a service for Gmail users and other subsidiary services.) It is advisable to maintain updated security questions and alternate contact information with your provider, as this is the primary mechanism for regaining control over your account.
2) Modify your password
If feasible, reset the password for your email account. Opt for a robust, exclusive password — avoid reusing passwords from other accounts. Subsequently, update the passwords for other accounts if you have employed the same or similar passwords elsewhere. (Hackers rely on individuals utilizing simplistic and repetitive passwords across their accounts — and on individuals reusing passwords in general.) A password manager included within comprehensive online security software can facilitate this task.
3) Activate two-factor authentication
Various email services offer two-factor authentication, necessitating a PIN in addition to a username and password for login. If this feature is available, make use of it. This represents one of the most robust defenses against email breaches — and cyber threats in general.
4) Audit your other accounts
In some cases, one security breach can pave the way for additional breaches. If an individual gains access to your email and its contents, they might possess the necessary information to launch further attacks. Scrutinize your other accounts linked to banking, finances, social media, and various services you utilize, and monitor them for any unusual activities. If these accounts offer two-factor authentication, enable this additional security measure for them too.
5) Notify your email contacts
A pivotal component of a hacker’s strategy is to infiltrate your address book and disseminate malware to others. Swiftly inform all your email contacts that your email has been compromised. If you have reset your password, notify them that your account is now secure. Likewise, caution them against opening any emails or attachments purportedly sent by you during the period when your account was compromised.
The broader perspective: Safeguarding your identity
Viewed in a broader context, your email account is just one constituent of the mosaic that constitutes your online identity. Other critical components encompass your online banking accounts, e-commerce accounts, and so forth. Undoubtedly, these are aspects you must monitor diligently.
Therefore, scrutinize your credit report for any indicators of suspicious activity. Your credit report serves as a potent tool for detecting identity theft and, in numerous instances, this service is complimentary. In the U.S., you can perform weekly checks at AnnualCreditReport.com. Canada also provides this service, and several other nations offer similar services. It is advisable to scrutinize your credit report periodically, even in the absence of suspicions. Moreover, our credit monitoring service enables you to review your report at any time.
Besides monitoring your identity, you can fortify its protection as well. Identity protection services like ours offer constant monitoring of your email addresses and financial accounts. Furthermore, our Identity Theft Coverage & Restoration service furnishes up to $2 million in ID theft insurance in case of identity compromise. Moreover, the service can engage an identity restoration professional to assist you in the aftermath of an attack or breach. Adopting measures like these can bolster the security of your email account against attacks — as well as your other accounts.
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