When an e-mail account is hacked or taken over, the attacker often uses that account to spread spam, spread viruses, and set up accounts with online services. If your friends, family, or coworkers receive e-mail from you advertising something like Viagra, your e-mail may have been hacked. Log into your e-mail and change your e-mail account password.

E-mail password does not work

If you cannot log into your e-mail account on an online service such as Gmail or Hotmail, use the forgot password feature link. Usually, this link is located below the login fields (username and password).

E-mail can be spoofed without hacking the e-mail account. If your friends continue to get e-mails you have not sent after your account password is changed, someone is spoofing your e-mail address.

If you cannot change your password, the reset feature doesn’t work, or the reset e-mail was changed, you must contact the e-mail provider. Computer Hope cannot help reset e-mail passwords because we cannot access other companies’ systems.

What to do after recovering from a hacked e-mail

If you can log into your e-mail account and you believe you were hacked, change your password immediately. After the password is changed, we also recommend you take the following steps.

  • If available, enable 2FA (two-factor authentication).

  • Remove all unknown authorized apps or programs.

  • Ensure your account recovery settings are correct and if other e-mail accounts are used, make sure those accounts haven’t been compromised.

  • Make sure none of the following mail settings have been changed by the hacker.

  • Display name

  • Backup or alternate e-mail addresses

  • Blocked addresses

  • E-mail filters

  • E-mail signature

  • Mail away message

Changed password and e-mail still got hacked

If, after changing your password your e-mail is hacked again, something may be spying on you or there’s a keylogger logging your keystrokes. Verify that there’s no spyware or other malware on the computer by running Malwarebytes on the computer and familiarize yourself with all tips on protecting yourself online.

  • How to protect yourself while on the Internet.
  • Getting bounce back e-mails from addresses I don’t know.
  • How to prevent unauthorized computer access.
  • How to know if a computer was hacked.
  • See the e-mail definition for further information and related links.
  • E-mail help and support.