email password problem

I have automatic log in for my email. I went to check email and instead of opening it asked for my password. I put it in and it just asked for my password again. I did that several times then went to the internet and tried getting on from there-- not using my shortcut. It still rejected my password. I clicked on "I am having a problem with my password" and it said it was sending a new password to my alternate email address and I have to reset it.
I just wnat to know if I should be concerned that my email has been highjacked or will be or does this just happen now and then? Why would my password be suddenly rejected?
Oh, I just used my iPad and got into my email like always. I just clicked on the email icon and it opened. Worked fine.  

It sounds to me that your device's browser passwords have been corrupted on the device you're having a problem. That said, one time my hotmail email account was hacked and I had to put in a new password. But since you got into your email using your iPad, then it looks like your other machine's password data has been corrupted.

I think you are right. About an hour after I agreed to reset my password, the iPad refused to send an email (I had sent one earlier when testing). So I went ahead and changed it and email is working fine on both devices.
Two friends said that sort of thing has happened to them.
Thank you, Papa.