When hackers gain unauthorized access to a primary email account, they don't always change the password or lock you out immediately. Instead, they set up quiet, hidden email forwarding rules to spy on your communications, steal password resets, and capture verification codes without your knowledge.
How Hidden Rules Work
Hackers navigate to your email settings and create a rule that says: "Forward any email containing the words 'bank', 'reset', 'password', or 'invoice' to `attacker@domain.com`." They also configure the rule to automatically delete the forwarded email from your inbox, leaving zero trace of the intrusion.
Performing a Monthly Inbox Audit
To ensure your account is perfectly secure, perform a simple check: Open your email provider's settings panel and navigate to the "Rules," "Filters," or "Forwarding" section. Audit every listed rule. If you see any unauthorized forwarding addresses or filter parameters, delete them instantly, reset your password, and enable Multi-Factor Authentication immediately.