How to Know If My Email Has Been Hacked

As a business owner or leader in a small to medium-sized business, safeguarding your email is crucial. Unfortunately, you might not know your email has been hacked until it’s too late.

Here are some key signs to watch for:

1. Unusual Mailbox Rules Hackers often create rules to forward your emails to another account or to move them to obscure folders. This way, they can monitor your emails without your knowledge. Regularly check your email settings for any rules you didn’t set up, especially if you use Microsoft Office 365 or Google Workspace.

2. Changes to MFA Settings Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is a critical security feature. If you notice changes to your MFA settings that you didn’t make, it could mean someone is trying to make your account easier to access. Always verify any notifications about MFA changes.

3. Unexpected Sent Emails If your contacts are receiving emails from you that you didn’t send, or you find emails in your sent folder that you didn’t write, this is a clear sign that your account has been compromised.

4. Password Change Notifications Receiving notifications about password changes that you did not initiate is another strong indicator. Always take these alerts seriously and act immediately.

5. Unusual Login Alerts Most email providers send alerts for logins from new locations or devices. Pay close attention to these alerts, especially if they originate from places you haven’t been.

6. Increased Spam Emails A sudden increase in the amount of spam or phishing emails in your inbox can also be a sign of hacking. This might mean that your email address is being used by hackers for spam activities.

7. Missing Emails If you notice that some of your emails are missing, it could mean that a hacker is deleting them to cover their tracks. Regularly review your trash and spam folders for any unexpected deletions.

Steps to Take If You Suspect a Hack

1. Change Your Password Immediately If you suspect that your email has been hacked, the first step is to change your password. Make sure it’s strong and unique, combining letters, numbers, and special characters.
2. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication If you haven’t already, enable MFA to add an extra layer of security. This makes it harder for hackers to gain access even if they have your password.
3. Check Your Account Settings Review your email settings for any unauthorized changes, such as forwarding rules or modified recovery information. Revert any changes you didn’t make.
4. Scan for Malware Use a reliable antivirus program to scan your computer for malware. Hackers often use malware to gain access to your accounts.
5. Notify Your Contacts Let your contacts know that your email was hacked and advise them not to click on any suspicious links or attachments they may have received from your address.
6. Monitor Your Accounts Keep an eye on your email and other online accounts for any further suspicious activity. Consider using a password manager to keep track of and protect your passwords.

** Please follow all plans & procedures provided to you from your insurance provider(s). If you have cyber insurance there are strict rules and procedures, you must follow to ensure they are notified, and your accounts are secured.

Proactive Measures to Protect Your Email

1. Regular Security Audits Regularly review and update your security settings. This includes changing your passwords periodically and reviewing account activity logs.
2. Employee Training Educate your employees about the importance of email security and how to recognize phishing attempts and other common tactics used by hackers.
3. Use a Professional Email Monitoring Service Invest in an email monitoring service that can alert you to suspicious activities and potential breaches. These services offer advanced threat detection that can catch issues before they become serious problems.
4. Implement Strong Security Policies Develop and enforce strong security policies within your organization. This includes guidelines for creating strong passwords, using MFA, and recognizing phishing attempts.
5. Backup Your Data Regularly backup your email data to ensure you can recover important information in case of a breach.

Here to Help

Email security is crucial for protecting your business. By staying vigilant and proactive, you can reduce the risk of your email being hacked. If you suspect any suspicious activity, act quickly to secure your account and prevent further damage. For comprehensive protection, consider using professional email monitoring services to keep your business safe from cyber threats.

For more information on how DoubleChecked can help safeguard your email and other digital assets, visit our website, or watch this quick video. Stay secure and protect your business with our advanced cybersecurity solutions.