Email has been hacked gmail

There is a tremendous amount of information exchanged over email. Contacts saved in email accounts are equally valuable. Since Google's introduction of Gmail in , it has evolved into an all-around service. It became more valuable when Google started introducing more services; Youtube, Google Calendar, and Google Drive Google has linked these services to your Gmail.

Android also requires Gmail to function adequately. Google even tie your Adsense and Adwords account with Gmail. The humble Gmail became one of the most influential online presence. Getting your Gmail account hacked becomes more and riskier. Once a hacker gain access to your emails, he has full control of your online presence. Additionally, he can access important information and emails. He can use it to reset your online bank accounts.

And even use your credit card information. You'll be locked out of your account once hackers hack in a worse case scenario. However, some hackers stay undetected while collecting information from your Gmail. First, check the following to determine if your Gmail account is compromised:. There are more signs that you're account is hacked.

If you noticed one or more symptoms from above, it's time to recover your account. If you haven't set-up security questions, recovery email, and password or any information that could prove your ownership, you cannot recover your account. Count yourself lucky if you can still sign-in. However, it always is a risky situation. Some hackers remain undetected while collecting information. They can set-up your account to forward emails to them.

Moreover, sensitive information is readily available to them. Immediately change your password. Log in to your Google Account. Confirm your password. Then, change your password. Make sure that it has small and capital letters, numbers, and special characters. Double check if your Recovery email, Recovery phone, and Security question are still the same. Better yet, update this information.

After resetting your password, follow the steps below to add more security to your Gmail account. It is necessary to ensure that there is protection at all times. The worst thing that can happen is for the hacker to take over your account. It is best if you notice it right away, but some may take hours.

Hackers will only need a few minutes to scan for sensitive information. Give a few more moments, and they can take over your other online accounts as well.

Confidential emails, such as shopping receipts, can also compromise your information. Emails from banks and online shops will put you at risk if not deleted immediately. Follow the steps below if you cannot access your account:. Go to Google Account Recovery. If you can't remember your password, click Try different question. It becomes necessary to check what devices are accessing your account.

First, log in to your Google Account. Then, access your profile by clicking on your profile photo on the upper right corner. Click My Account. If all look good here, click Review Devices. Under Recently used devices , make sure that all machines listed are yours. It is also important to note the location of each device.

Since I lost my phone, I will remove the permission to my account. Click on the device, then click the red Remove button. After making sure that all devices on your account are yours, check if your emails are being forwarded. This forwarding happens when hacking is almost undetectable. Your Gmail could be sending essential messages to another account. Hackers may have access to the email account of your banking, shopping, and credit card emails.

Follow the steps below. Login to your Gmail account, Click the cog icon in the upper right corner. Then, click Settings in the drop-down. If you are using Google Inbox, click Gmail on the left-hand menu to go back to Gmail temporarily. Check if there are any emails in Forwarding.

In my account, I haven't added any forwarding address. That means my Gmail account is safe so far. Your Gmail may not be forwarding emails to another account. However, an email client may have access to your inbox. A hacker may set-up an email client to remotely receive your important emails. Here's how you can check:.

Check the current activities on your email. Go to Gmail, then click Details at the bottom. It will open a new window. In here check the IP address and locations your account is accessed. The last thing to check is your recovery email and phone.

The use of your phone and email is in case you've forgotten your password. It can be changed by the hacker and gain access to your account. Go back to your Account profile page. Scroll down and double check the information under Account recovery options. Also known as multifactor authentication, this extra security measure typically requires you to enter your username and password along with a temporary passcode to get into an account.

For example, the service provider may send the one-time passcode to your phone each time you try to log in. Without your phone in hand, a hacker will be much less likely to gain entry into an account that has two-step verification turned on. Warn your contacts. Look for signs of trouble. To prevent this, you should take these steps: Check your settings. Hackers who gain access to an email account may change settings to further compromise your security.

And get tips from your email service provider on any other ways you can make your account more secure. Scan for trouble. Look for signs of a computer virus on your computer, phone or tablet. These signs may include strange pop-up windows, slowness, problems shutting down or restarting, and unfamiliar applications on your device. Protect yourself for the future.

Make sure you are running the latest versions of your apps, browser, operating system, and software. The newest versions often contain patches to fix security flaws hackers can exploit.

Add security software. Get security software from a reputable company and install it on all of your devices. Join today. Cancel anytime. Start Free Trial. Editorial note: Our articles provide educational information for you. NortonLifeLock offerings may not cover or protect against every type of crime, fraud, or threat we write about. Our goal is to increase awareness about cyber safety. Please review complete Terms during enrollment or setup.

Remember that no one can prevent all identity theft or cybercrime, and that LifeLock does not monitor all transactions at all businesses. How can I tell if my phone has been hacked?