Would you know what to do if your email is hacked? Email can potentially be one of the least secure methods of communication, due to a reliance on user-created passwords. With so many of us using our email accounts as a primary tool to manage communication for all aspects of our lives, it can feel extremely unnerving to lose control of an account to a hacker. Hacking can be done in many ways, including phishing and malware.
In the video above, Jon Cosson gives best practice on the steps you should take if your email account is hacked, this includes:
- Changing your password immediately after you become aware you’ve been hacked (and ideally not using the same password across different platforms in the first place)
- Checking your account for any suspicious messages
- Contacting the police via Action Fraud
- Removing any unauthorised forwarding rules that may have been set up in your account
- Contacting your email provider for further information
- Letting your bank and other financial providers know you’ve been hacked, so that they can set up additional layers of security.
How to create a strong password
Creating a strong password is key to preventing hacking in the first place, and our Cyber Security Guide has advice on making your password as secure as possible, tips on staying safe online, and examples of common scams criminals may use to get you to hand over your data.
Some of the best ways to enhance security include:
- Setting up two factor authentication wherever it is available across platforms
- Using combinations of three random words in passwords
- Using a password manager to help you create and remember passwords
- Securing smartphones and tablets with a screen lock to offer your devices an important extra layer of security.
Last but not least, the most important thing to remember is to think before you act. Cyber criminals want you to act first and think later. If a message you receive conveys a sense of urgency or uses high pressure tactics, be very sceptical.
