Confirm whether your account is hijacked or just spoofed

    Spoofed messages don't need account access — hijacked ones do. The fix is different for each.

    JDCS
    By Jordan Dickson · Reviewed by CSG Security Engineers

    Updated June 2026 · 1 min read

    If the messages appear in your Sent folder and login history shows unknown access, your account is hijacked. If your Sent is clean, it's spoofing — different problem entirely.

    Spoof vs hijack — quick test

      • Sent folder empty + header shows a different domain → spoofing (no account access)
      • Sent folder shows the messages + unfamiliar logins → hijacked (urgent)
      • Both the display name and address match → almost always hijacked

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    JD

    Written by

    Jordan Dickson

    Founder, CyberSecurityGuides

    Founder of CyberSecurityGuides, writing practical, jargon-free guides that help everyday people recover from and protect against online attacks.

    Reviewed by CSG Security Engineers

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