Securing Your Google Account: Steps to Take When Someone Tries to Access Your Account

When a suspicious individual attempts to access your Google account, it's crucial to take immediate action to secure your account and protect your personal information. Here are the steps you should follow:

Review Account Activity

First, go to your Google Account and review the account activity. Check for any unauthorized sign-ins, especially if they appear recently or in unfamiliar locations. This can give you an idea of what actions have been taken on your account and if you need to take further steps.

Secure Your Account

Since you’ve already changed your password, ensure that your recovery options like your recovery phone number and email are up to date. This is essential for any future recovery attempts if you need to reset your password.

Additionally, confirm that you have enabled two-step verification. If you used the Google Authenticator app or a USB security key as the second factor, this will make it much harder for unauthorized individuals to access your account.

Sign Out of All Devices

Log out of all your devices that might have access to your Google account. This is a critical step to limit the opportunities for an attacker to gain unauthorized access to your account. You can do this in the Account Security section of your Google Account.

Review Third-Party Access

Check if any third-party apps or services have access to your Google account. If you find any, revoke their permissions immediately. You can do this in the Manage Third-Party Access section of your Google Account.

Enable Security Alerts

Make sure that you have security alerts enabled. This feature will notify you of any suspicious activities or login attempts, allowing you to take immediate action. You can enable this in the Security Settings section of your Google Account.

Check for Malware

To further secure your account, run a malware scan on your devices. Use a reputable antivirus program to scan for and remove any potential threats. This will help ensure that your devices are not compromised and that no malware is attempting to access your account through them.

Educate Yourself on Phishing

Be wary of phishing attempts, especially if you received unsolicited emails or messages asking for your personal information. Avoid clicking on suspicious links or providing sensitive information. Phishing is a common tactic used to gain unauthorized access to accounts.

Consider Additional Security Measures

If you feel your account is still at risk, consider using a password manager for stronger passwords and enabling additional security features like Google's Advanced Protection Program. A password manager can help you generate and store complex passwords, reducing the likelihood of a brute-force attack. The Advanced Protection Program adds another layer of security to your account by providing enhanced protection against phishing and account takeovers.

If you continue to experience issues or suspect that your account is still being targeted, consider reaching out to Google Support for further assistance. Google has a dedicated support team that can help you diagnose and resolve security issues with your account.

Deleting Your Google Account

If you no longer want the Gmail email address and have backed up all your photos, you can delete the Google account and set up a new one. To do this, sign out of the Google account on your device, then go to the settings and reset it to factory. Next, go to another device and set up a new Google account. When the phone resets, sign in with the new account you created. This way, you've removed any chance of tracking your changes. Don't reuse a password; use a sentence as the password for example - ! thats so hard to guess and would take 500 years to brute force crack.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can help secure your Google account and protect your personal information from unauthorized access. Remember, staying vigilant and taking proactive steps is essential to maintaining the security of your online accounts.