What are some signs of a potential email compromise?

A potential email compromise can often be identified through specific signs that indicate unauthorized access or unusual behavior within an email account. The correct answer highlights critical indicators, such as unusual login attempts, which may suggest that someone other than the account holder is trying to gain access. Changes in email settings can also point to an attacker altering configurations to maintain access or to redirect emails. Additionally, sent emails that the user did not initiate strongly signal that the account has been compromised, as they may represent phishing attempts or spam sent from the account without the owner’s knowledge.

In contrast, certain options do not typically indicate compromise. For example, increased email storage limits do not relate to security but rather to account quotas and limits set by email providers. Faster email delivery times do not provide any relevant information about account security and are more likely a matter of the service's operational efficiency. Meanwhile, unexpected software updates might signal activity needing attention but do not directly relate to the signs of email compromise. They may occur for various benign reasons, such as routine maintenance or upgrades, rather than as indicators of malicious activity.