Imagine opening your inbox on a Monday morning and finding out a customer received an email you never sent. Or worse, a supplier tells you they paid an invoice using bank details that were changed by someone pretending to be your business.
Email accounts are no longer just communication tools. They often contain customer details, invoices, password reset links and sensitive business information.
This guide explains the warning signs that someone may have accessed your email account and the practical steps you can take to secure it.
1. Emails Are Being Sent From Your Account That You Did Not Write
One of the clearest signs of compromise is finding emails in your Sent folder that you did not create.
Attackers often use compromised accounts to send phishing messages, fake invoices or malicious links because people trust emails from familiar addresses.
Learn more about protecting yourself from phishing emails.
2. Your Password Suddenly Stops Working
If your password stops working unexpectedly, someone may have changed it after gaining access.
Immediately reset your password, review recovery options and enable additional security controls.
Computer Cures provides password reset support for users who need assistance recovering access safely.
3. Unknown Login Alerts Appear
Unexpected sign-in notifications should never be ignored. Review login locations, devices and account activity.
For businesses, a professional IT health check and audit can identify security weaknesses.
4. Email Forwarding Rules Have Changed
Hackers sometimes create hidden forwarding rules so copies of your emails are sent to them. This allows them to monitor conversations without being noticed.
Check Outlook rules, forwarding settings and connected applications regularly.
5. Your Contacts Receive Strange Messages
If customers or colleagues receive unusual emails from you, your account may have been used for impersonation.
Review your account security immediately and notify affected contacts.
6. Important Emails Disappear
Attackers may delete security alerts, invoice conversations or customer messages to hide their activity.
A strong backup strategy helps businesses recover from unexpected incidents. Learn about business data backup.
7. Your Email Settings Have Changed
Look for unfamiliar signatures, changed recovery details, new connected apps or altered reply-to addresses.
8. Password Reset Emails Appear Without Requesting Them
Unexpected password reset notifications can mean someone is attempting to access your account.
Do not click unknown links. Open your account settings directly and review security activity.
9. Your Email Starts Sending Spam
Bounce-back messages, spam complaints and unusual outgoing emails are common signs that criminals may be using your account.
10. Suspicious Payment Requests Appear
Business email compromise often involves criminals monitoring conversations and attempting to redirect payments.
Never accept bank-detail changes through email alone. Always verify payment changes using a trusted phone number.
What To Do If Your Email Has Been Compromised
- Change your password immediately
- Enable Multi-Factor Authentication
- Remove unknown devices and applications
- Review mailbox forwarding rules
- Check recent login activity
- Contact your IT provider for investigation
Protect Your Business Email With Better Security
For businesses using Microsoft 365, security settings require ongoing management. MFA, email filtering, account monitoring and user awareness training all play an important role.
Computer Cures helps Melbourne businesses improve email security through:
- Microsoft Office 365 services
- Office 365 Multi-Factor Authentication
- Email spam filtering and protection
- Cybersecurity solutions
- Managed IT services
Book Your Email Security Health Check Today
Find the security gaps before cybercriminals do.
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