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What to do if your email gets hacked (and how to prevent it)

Having your email account hacked can be violating and panic-inducing. Here's what to do when it happens, and what you can do to prevent future attacks.

Sharon Profis Vice President of Content
Sharon Profis is a vice president of content.
Sharon Profis

You usually don't know your email has been hacked until a friend lets you know, by which point you've already emailed dozens of friends, family members, and co-workers a link to a "really cool video" that they "have to see now!"

It's embarrassing. It's awkward. You'll ask, "Why me?"

If you're ever unlucky enough to be caught in this pickle, follow this guide. The hope is that if you follow every step, you'll never have to send another "Sorry everyone, my account was hacked" email again. Here's how to deal with a hacked email account and make sure it never happens again.

Email hacked? Here's what to do (pictures)

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