One of the most frequent questions is that related to the recovery of an email box whose password we have forgotten or whose integrity we fear (someone may have read our messages, especially s and we have forgotten the box configured on some shared computer ). If we do not know how to recover the account and password, just read the steps that we have described below: in fact we will show you how to recover passwords for Gmail, Outlook and Yahoo services, i.e. the most used boxes in the world for sending e-mail messages.
At the end of the guide we will also show you the steps to be taken to increase the security of your account, so that you can quickly restore it in the future and prevent someone else from sneaking into our box to read personal messages or recover important information on our payment methods. .
Article Index
- Account access recovery
- Change Password
- Change the recovery information
- Set up 2-step verification
- Check aliases and other accounts associated with your email address
- Other safety tips
Account access recovery (password forgotten)
If we have simply forgotten the password, we can proceed with the recovery of the same using the tools made available by the various login pages (where we are inevitably locked).- In Gmail : we open the service page, click on Login at the top and then type the email address we want to access; now select Next and, in the password entry screen, click on Forgot password .
- In Outlook : we open the service page, press the Login button, enter the email address we want to access, select Next and, on the password entry page, click on I forgot my password .
- In Yahoo : even in this case it is sufficient to open the main page of the site, click on Login at the top, enter the email to be used, click Next and finally I forgot my password .
In all cases the password recovery process will be based on a new temporary password, which will be communicated on one of the recovery methods set when we still had access to the account or during the creation of the same: we can receive the code via email or via SMS.
Some accounts allow you to reset your password immediately, using a smartphone for recognition: for example with Google you just have to authorize the warning window that will appear on the Android smartphone with the same Google account configured and thus choose a new password.
Recovery can be much more difficult if we have never entered an emergency email or phone number; in these cases the services could prevent the recovery of the password if not by sending documents and certificates through assistance (not always a viable way).
Change password (suspected intrusion)
If, on the other hand, we still have access to the email but we fear that someone may have sneaked in or may have copied the access credentials, we will have to proceed as soon as possible to change the password .To make a metaphor: better to change the lock on the front door when you don't know exactly who has the keys to enter!
Changing the password also implies that every other computer program and every password stored in the browser is made ineffective to access.
- In Gmail : we open the service page and go to the top right of the profile image, click on Google Account - > Security and select the Password item; we insert the login credentials again and choose a new password.
- In Outlook.com : we open the Microsoft email account page, click on the profile image in the top right and then on My account> Security and select the Change password button.
- In Yahoo Mail : on the Yahoo email box, click on the profile icon at the top, select Account info> Account security and finish by clicking Change password .
These are the steps to follow to choose a new password and immediately kick out the intruders!
Since we still have access to our account, it is better to read the following chapters to equip ourselves adequately in case of subsequent violations or forgetfulness.
Change the recovery information
In order to recover an account whose password we don't remember, we will have to indicate (when we still have access to the account) valid recovery methods, in order to receive temporary passwords and codes to be used to get back the account.The most common methods are other email addresses (secondary emails) and telephone numbers, where you can receive verification SMS.
Let's see together how to add recovery methods to the main accounts:
- In Gmail : we open the service page and go to the top right of the profile image, click on Google Account - > Security and enter the data in the Recovery phone number and Recovery email fields.
- In Outlook.com : we open the Microsoft email account page, click on the profile image in the top right and then on My account> Security -> Update Info and add a recovery email in the Manage options field access .
- In Yahoo Mail : in the Yahoo email box, click on the profile icon at the top, select Account info> Account security and enter the data in the Phone numbers and Email addresses fields.
With the recovery data entered in the various accounts we will be able to recover access to the account in the future in case we forget the password.
Set up 2-step verification
A very effective tool against intruders is two-factor authentication (also called two-step verification ), which allows you to add an additional layer of security in addition to the simple email address and password.Enabling this feature, we will have to enter, at each access, a code obtained via SMS, via notification on the phone or via secondary email: if the hacker does not have access to these tools, he will never be able to access even if he knows the password.
Let's see how to activate this type of authentication on the main services:
- In Gmail : we open the service page and go to the top right of the profile image, click on Google Account - > Security and activate the items Verification in two steps and Login with the phone .
- In Outlook.com : we open the Microsoft mailbox page, click on the profile image in the top right and then on My account> Security -> Update Info and click on Set up 2-step verification .
- In Yahoo Mail : on the Yahoo email box, click on the profile icon at the top, select Account info> Account security and enable the 2-step verification item.
With this security system we will have secured our accounts, but we will have to remember to always have the smartphone or access to the assigned email at hand to be able to recover the codes: without them even we cannot access!
We will also have to pay more attention to cell phone theft, as in this case we will have provided an easy tool for accessing all the accounts in our possession.
READ ALSO -> Sites / apps where you can activate the two-step password verification
Check aliases and other accounts associated with your email address
This is perhaps one of the most overlooked methods by most people: any email account can be set up to send copies of received messages to other email addresses.An unscrupulous person could not only read every correspondence and every message received but could also reset the passwords used in other sites to which he has registered, such as Facebook, a blog or others.
Fortunately, online banking or services like Paypal require more information to reset a password.
To check if there are and which addresses are enabled to forward received messages go:
- In Gmail : click on the gear at the top right and go to Settings> Forwarding and POP / IMAP.
- In Outlook.com : click on the gear at the top right and open the menu View all Outlook settings> Mail> Forwarding.
- In Yahoo Mail : Click on the top right of Settings> Other settings > Mailboxes -> Send only email address.
Other safety tips
After making all the changes we proceed to replace all your account passwords on other websites where that address is used as a login.Unfortunately, if your email is compromised, you must assume that all accounts from other websites are also compromised.
You will then have to go to all the sites you access by entering your email address as the login name and change both the password and the suggestions and secret recovery questions.
Although the online bank is expected to remain untouchable, it must be the first site to change your password.
Second are social networks like Facebook and Twitter and other email accounts that have ties to the main one.
To maintain the security of your e-mail account, always keep in mind that the password must contain uppercase, lowercase letters, numbers and even symbols.
Ideally, you should have a different one for each account or at least one different from all the others for your primary Email account.
To increase the security of connections we must always use HTTPS; in this regard, we refer you to the reading of the guide Navigate in https on banking sites, online stores, Facebook and webmail .
The best weapon to avoid receiving spam is not to spread your email address and to use a temporary one or an alias when registering on websites and newsletters.
In this regard, we can read the articles on how to create anonymous and temporary addresses and how to create mail aliases on Yahoo Mail and Hotmail .
READ ALSO -> What to do to protect your email and e-mail box
