Tech Tips: What to Do After Falling Victim to Email Hacking
Now that we know how to protect ourselves against email hackers, it’s important to consider, what do I if I am hacked? Unfortunately, you can take multiple measures to secure your email and hackers will still find a way to access your account. Read more for tech tips on what to do after your email is hacked.
- Change your password immediately
Hackers access your email through phishing, which involves you unknowingly giving your email login to a hacker. Change your email password immediately to prevent them from accessing your account. Choose a unique password unlike any of your other account passwords to lessen the chances of those accounts getting hacked too.
- Visit your service’s email recovery page
In the event you are unable to access your email because the hacker changed your password, visit your provider’s email recovery page. On the recovery page, you will be provided security questions and the choice to text/call an alternate phone number or email. Keep a physical copy of the answers to your security questions in case of emergency.
- Scan your computer for malware
If you didn't download malware for your computer before your email got hacked, now is the time to do so. Perform an antivirus or anti-malware scan on your devices to check for unauthorized system downloads.
- Alert your email contact
Alert your email contacts that you were hacked and to delete any suspicious emails they receive from you. Let them know once you change your password and are in complete control of your account again.
- Educate yourself
Visit the FSU Phish Tank to learn more about common phishing schemes to protect you against future email hackers. Keeping these cybersecurity tips on-hand will have you thanking yourself later.
Email hacking is a stressful situation, and we hope these tips can make things easier. Check out our article on protecting yourself against email hackers before it’s too late.
