How To Secure Your Email Account Against Unauthorized Access

Your email account is connected to more things than you may realise. You may use it to reset passwords, access social media accounts, receive bank notifications and manage other online services.

If someone gets into your email account, they may be able to access private messages, reset passwords for other accounts or impersonate you to scam your contacts.

Protecting your email is therefore important, especially if you use the same address for work, banking and personal communication. Here are practical ways to make your account more secure and reduce the risk of someone accessing it without your permission.

1. Use a Strong and Unique Password

Start by checking the password you use for your email account. Avoid simple combinations based on your name, date of birth, phone number or other personal details that someone might guess.

Choose a long password that is difficult to predict, and do not use it for other websites or apps. If another service suffers a data breach, a reused password could give someone a way to access your email account.

A password manager can help you create and store strong, unique passwords without having to memorise each one.

2. Enable Two-Factor Authentication

Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds another layer of security to your email account. Even if someone discovers your password, they may still be unable to sign in without the additional verification required.

Depending on your email provider, you may be able to use an authentication app, a security key, a passkey or a sign-in prompt on a trusted device.

To enable it, open your email account's security settings and look for Two-Step Verification or Two-Factor Authentication.

Use a passkey or security key if your provider supports it and it suits your needs. Never share verification codes with anyone or approve a sign-in request you did not initiate.

3. Check Which Devices Are Signed In

Your email provider may let you see the phones, computers and other devices signed in to your account.

Review the list and look for devices or sessions you do not recognise. If you find something suspicious, sign it out and change your password if you believe someone else has accessed your account.

For a Google account, open your Google Account settings and go to the Security section to review your devices and recent security activity.

An unfamiliar device name or location does not always mean someone has hacked your account. However, it is worth checking anything you cannot explain.

4. Keep Your Recovery Details Up to Date

Your recovery phone number and backup email address can help you regain access if you forget your password or get locked out.

Check that the details linked to your account are still yours and that you can access them. Remove outdated recovery options and replace them with current ones.

Your backup email account also needs protection. If someone gains access to it, they may be able to use it to reset your main email password.

5. Avoid Clicking Suspicious Links

Phishing emails are designed to trick you into revealing passwords, verification codes or other personal information.

You might receive a message claiming that your email account will be suspended, that someone has attempted to sign in or that you need to verify your details urgently. The message may contain a link to a fake website that looks like your email provider's sign-in page.

Before following a link, check the sender's address and look for unusual wording, unexpected attachments or requests for sensitive information.

If you receive an account security warning, open the provider's official website or app directly to check whether the alert is genuine. Do not enter your password on a page simply because an email asks you to.

6. Sign Out of Shared or Unused Devices

If you have signed in to your email on a friend's phone, a public computer or a device you no longer own, make sure you sign out when you finish.

Leaving your account open on a shared device may allow another person to read your messages or access information linked to your email.

Avoid saving your password on public computers. If you have already signed in on a device you cannot access again, use your email provider's security settings to sign out remotely where that option is available.

7. Review Apps Connected to Your Email

Some apps and websites request permission to access information from your email account. Depending on the permission granted, an app may be able to view your profile details, read messages or perform other actions.

Check the apps and services connected to your account. If you no longer use an app or cannot identify it, review its permissions and remove access if necessary.

Be particularly careful with unfamiliar apps that request access to your emails, contacts or account settings. Only grant permissions you understand and genuinely need.

8. Keep Your Devices Updated

Your email account can be at risk if the phone or computer you use has outdated software or security weaknesses.

Install operating system, browser and app updates from official sources. These updates may include security fixes that help protect your device against known threats.

It is also important to lock your phone and computer with a PIN, password, fingerprint or another supported security method. This helps prevent someone with physical access to your device from opening your email.

9. Watch for Unusual Account Activity

Pay attention to security alerts and changes you did not make. These may include unfamiliar sign-ins, unexpected password-reset messages or notifications that your recovery details have been changed.

Also check for emails sent from your account without your knowledge. If messages are disappearing or being marked as read unexpectedly, investigate further.

Some attackers create forwarding rules or filters to send copies of your emails elsewhere. If you suspect unauthorised access, check these settings alongside your sign-in activity.

Do not ignore a warning simply because you can still access your account. Someone may have gained access without changing your password.

10. Secure Your Account After a Suspected Hack

If you believe someone has accessed your email without permission, take action as soon as possible.

1. Change your password using a trusted device.
2. Sign out of unfamiliar devices and active sessions.
3. Check your recovery phone number and backup email address.
4. Remove suspicious connected apps and review forwarding rules and filters.
5. Enable two-factor authentication if it is not already active.
6. Check other accounts linked to your email and secure them if necessary.

If you cannot sign in, use your email provider's official account recovery process. Avoid paying strangers who claim they can recover your account.

If the email is connected to your bank or payment services, check those accounts for unusual activity and contact your bank through its official channels if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can I tell if someone has accessed my email?

Check for unfamiliar sign-ins, unexpected password-reset messages, emails sent without your knowledge or changes to your account settings. Your email provider's recent security activity can help you investigate.

2. Is a strong password enough to protect my email?

No. A strong, unique password is important, but two-factor authentication, secure recovery details and careful handling of suspicious links provide additional protection.

3. How often should I change my email password?

You do not need to change a strong password on a fixed schedule if it remains secure. Change it immediately if you suspect it has been exposed, reused on a compromised service or accessed by someone else.

4. What should I do if I cannot access my email account?

Visit your email provider's official website and follow its account recovery instructions. Once you regain access, change your password and review your devices, recovery details and account settings.

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