Nowadays, everything is tied to the internet, including our profiles and personal accounts. We almost use our email accounts for everything, from social media to online banking. Therefore, we have to make sure that our email accounts are secured by setting up a strong password and changing it regularly. In this tutorial, we will explain how to change an email account password and provide you with some methods and tips that can help you secure your account.
Video Tutorial:
Why You Need to Change Email Account Password
Our email accounts contain a lot of personal information, and if it gets into the wrong hands, it can cause serious problems. Changing your email account password regularly is essential to keep it secure.
Moreover, you may need to change your email account password for multiple reasons including forgetting it, or sharing it with someone that you no longer trust. Changing your password could be a preventive measure in case someone gets hold of your email and uses it to access your other accounts.
Method 1: Change Password via Email Service Provider’s Website
One of the easiest methods to change an email account password is through the website of the email service provider. To change the email password using this method, follow the steps below:
1. Log in to your email account through your service provider’s website.
2. Proceed to the security settings, where you will find a drop-down option to change the password.
3. Click on "change password" button or link.
4. Enter your current password
5. Enter your new password and retype it to confirm.
6. Click on "save" or "update" button.
Pros:
– Simple and easy to use
– You don’t have to download any software
Cons:
– It may not work for certain email service providers.
– You need to remember the website of your email service provider.
Method 2: Change Password via Email Client Application
Most email clients such as Outlook, Apple Mail, and Gmail have built-in tools for changing email account password. To use this method, follow the steps below:
1. Open the email client app.
2. Go to "Preferences" or "Account Settings," or "Settings" depending on the email client.
3. Find the option to "Change Password" and click on it.
4. Enter your current password
5. Enter your new password and retype it to confirm.
6. Click on "Save" or "Update".
Pros:
– You can directly change your password without switching tabs
– It’s often an inbuilt feature in email clients.
Cons:
– It may not work for all email clients.
– May require several steps to locate "Change Password" option
Method 3: Change Password via Your Device’s Email Settings
You can also change your email account password through the settings on your device. In this method, you have to follow these steps:
1. Go to device Settings and select "Passwords and Accounts" or "Accounts and Sync" depending on your device.
2. Click on the email account that you want to change the password for.
3. Locate the password option.
4. Enter your current password.
5. Enter your new password and retype it to confirm.
6. Tap on "Save" or "Update" to save the new password.
Pros:
– You can change your password using less data than using a browser
– May save time especially if you have multiple email accounts set up on your device.
Cons:
– The location of email password may differ from one device to another.
What to Do If You Can’t Change Email Account Password
Sometimes, changing email password may not be as easy as it seems due to technical difficulties such as system upgrades or email client malfunction. In such cases, there are fixes that you could try. Some of these fixes include:
1. Contacting your email service provider’s customer service for advice or assistance
2. Checking if the settings on your email client or device are correct
3. Updating or reinstalling your email client application
4. Running a security scan to check for viruses and malware on your device.
Bonus Tip: Tips for Setting a Strong Password
To secure your email account even further, you need to create a strong password. A strong password is a combination of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and symbols. Below are some tips that you can use to set a strong email password:
1. Use a password generator
2. Avoid using personal information, birthdates, address, or names as your password.
3. Use a password that is at least eight characters long
4. Use a unique password for each account
5 FAQs about Changing Email Account Password
Q1. How often should you change your email password?
A1. It is recommended that you change your email password every 3-6 months.
Q2. Will changing my email password affect my other accounts?
A2. No, changing your email password won’t affect your other accounts. But it is recommended that you change your password for all connected accounts.
Q3. What should I do if I forget my email password?
A3. You can use the "forgot password" option on your email client application or contact your email service provider for further assistance.
Q4. Are there any programs to help me change my email password?
A4. No, there isn’t any specific program to change email passwords.
Q5. How can I tell if my email account has been hacked?
A5. There are various signs that your email has been hacked such as receiving emails that you didn’t send, changes in settings that you didn’t make, and receiving suspicious emails from unknown contacts.
Final Thoughts
Email accounts are essential, and securing them is necessary. Changing your email password is an easy and straightforward process that can be done in different ways. Each method has its own pros and cons, and you can choose the one that suits you the most. Don’t forget to set a strong password that is changed regularly, and keep your email account and other accounts safe.