

Choose a strong password. Secure passwords or passphrases should contain at least 12 characters, including numbers, symbols and a mix of capital and lowercase letters. If you do still have access to your account, make these changes right away: However, if your IP address log shows many different IP addresses, it could be a sign that a fraudster is logging into your email account from different locations. If you mostly log onto the internet from your home or work, a record of your IP addresses will show mostly the same numbers repeatedly.

Your IP address is a type of digital address that shows where you are located when you log onto the internet. The hacker can simply click “forgot password” at login and have a password reset link sent right to your email inbox, which they now control. Your email account can act as a gateway into other accounts. If your latest Instagram post or tweet is touting some product you’ve never used, a hacker may have gained access to both your email and social media accounts.


But you may be able to spot signs of a hacked email account before you get tipped off by a friend.
