We're spending more time than ever before online, meaning the amount of sensitive information stored within our email and social media accounts is on the increase too.

If your Gmail has been hacked or if you notice suspicious activity, there are certain steps you can take to protect yourself and your information. It is worth getting familiar with these steps to ensure you react quickly in the event of a hack. 

If you suspect someone has gained access to your account or if you are unsure if you left it signed in on a public computer, simply scroll to the bottom of your inbox and click "details", next to "Last account activity". 

This will display a table that details the last active sessions associated with your email account. If there is any activity on this list that you do not recognise or authorize, it is possible to sign out of all active sessions. Simply hit "Sign out of all other web sessions".

If you have been hacked or worry that your account security has been compromised, change your password straight away. Even if you have not been targeted, it is worth enabling Google 2-Step Verification. This will add an extra layer of security to your account. 

When enabled, the 2-step Verification requires the account password and a code, which is sent to the account holder's phone. 

It is also possible to see what sites and accounts have access to your information by conducting a Gmail security checkup. Details on how to do this can be found here.