The FBI says there are steps you can take to protect your email account from being hacked.
How do you know if you've been hacked?
- You canāt log into your account.
- Your āsentā folder has messages you didnāt send or has been emptied all together.
- Friends or family report getting messages from you that include strange links or attachments.
- You know that your information has been compromised via a data breach, malware infection or a lost device.
If you are worried about your email accountās security, here are some steps to take:
- Update your security software, run a scan, and delete any possible malware on your devices.
- If you can get into your account, change your password and set up multi-factor authentication.
- If you canāt access your account, check with the email provider to see what steps you must take to reclaim your account.Ā
- Check the ārulesā setting on your account to ensure that it is not set up to forward emails automatically to someone elseās address.Ā
- Check your trash folder for any hints as to what the hacker may have done then deleted.
- Donāt use public WiFi.Ā
- Donāt let your web browser remember your passwords.
- Finally, never give your personal information ā including login credentials and passwords ā to people who contact you unsolicited. Make sureĀ youĀ are the one initiating any important contacts when dealing with your bank, health care provider, or other business.
If you are the victim of an online fraud, you should report the incident to the FBIās Internet Crime Complaint Center atĀ www.ic3.govĀ or call your FBI local office.Ā Ā