Most of our online presence revolves around emails. We use email from signing-up to social media to opening an online bank portal. There is a tremendous amount of information exchanged over email. Contacts saved in email accounts are equally valuable.
Since Google's introduction of Gmail in 2004, it has evolved into an all-around service. It became more valuable when Google started introducing more services; Youtube, Google Calendar, and Google Drive Google has linked these services to your Gmail.
Android also requires Gmail to function adequately. Google even tie your Adsense and Adwords account with Gmail. The humble Gmail became one of the most influential online presence.
Getting your Gmail account hacked becomes more and riskier. Once a hacker gain access to your emails, he has full control of your online presence. Additionally, he can access important information and emails. He can use it to reset your online bank accounts. And even use your credit card information.
You'll be locked out of your account once hackers hack in a worse case scenario. However, some hackers stay undetected while collecting information from your Gmail. First, check the following to determine if your Gmail account is compromised:
How to Know Gmail Account is Hacked?
- You will get a notification that there's an unusual activity in your Gmail ID.
- You will get a notification that there's an attempt to change your username or password.
- No new emails for a long time.
- Your account shows "We've detected suspicious activity on your account."
There are more signs that you're account is hacked. If you noticed one or more symptoms from above, it's time to recover your account.
Things you'll need
Before anything else, make sure that you have the following information ready:
- The last password you used.
- Your recovery email.
- Your recovery phone number.
- The answer to your security questions.
- The last time you had access to your account.
If you haven't set-up security questions, recovery email, and password or any information that could prove your ownership, you cannot recover your account.
If you can Sign-in
Count yourself lucky if you can still sign-in. However, it always is a risky situation. Some hackers remain undetected while collecting information. They can set-up your account to forward emails to them. Moreover, sensitive information is readily available to them. Immediately change your password.
Log in to your Google Account. Under Sign-in & security click Signing into Google.
Under Password & sign-in method, click Password. Confirm your password.
Then, change your password. Make sure that it has small and capital letters, numbers, and special characters.
Go back to Sign-in & security. Double check if your Recovery email, Recovery phone, and Security question are still the same. Better yet, update this information.
After resetting your password, follow the steps below to add more security to your Gmail account. It is necessary to ensure that there is protection at all times.
If you cannot Sign-in
The worst thing that can happen is for the hacker to take over your account. It is best if you notice it right away, but some may take hours. Hackers will only need a few minutes to scan for sensitive information. Give a few more moments, and they can take over your other online accounts as well. Confidential emails, such as shopping receipts, can also compromise your information. Emails from banks and online shops will put you at risk if not deleted immediately. Follow the steps below if you cannot access your account:
Step 1: Google Account Recovery
Go to Google Account Recovery.
If you can't remember your password, click Try different question.
You can use your recovery email or phone number.
Your phone will receive a code to prove your account ownership.
Also, you can answer your security question.
You can send a verification code to your recovery email.
Last option is to enter any email you have access.
Step 2: Change your Password
In this example, we used the recovery phone to send a verification code. Google will then ask you to change your password.
Step 3: Security Check
You will go through the Security Check once you are signed. Make sure to check and change your security information.
After Recovery
It is important to set proper security measures once you've recovered your account. One of the most effective is to enable two-factor authentication.
Two-factor authentication will require an active phone number. It is another layer of security on top of your password. Every time you log in, Gmail will send a unique verification code through SMS.
Make sure to download Backup codes in case your phone is not available upon signing.
Additionally, Google has set-up several alternative second step verification. Instead of an SMS, you can set-up a Google prompt on your phone. There is an authenticator app available as well. For a stronger security measure, a Security Key can be set-up. You can use a USB device to save the Security Key. The USB device can be plugged-in any computer to authenticate your account.
Lastly, you can identify computers that your Gmail account automatically trusts.
Final Thoughts
Beyond securing your Gmail accounts, you now have to think about your overall security. You might have downloaded malicious software on your computer. Install strong security programs such as Avira or MalwareFox.
Keep all your software and operating system updated. Make sure to download definition updates on your antivirus and anti-malware applications regularly. Change your password frequently as well. Better yet, use a password manager so you can create even stronger passwords.
There is also the concern of third-party accounts. Cybercriminals can download sensitive information during hacking. They could have reset any passwords as well. It could be tedious. But, it is best to go through all your online accounts and reset your password.
Lastly, be aware of the threats that can harm your system. And, practice clean browsing habits.
very helping article to recover Gmail hacked account. Thanks for sharing such a nice information.
What if they changed all of ur Recovery stuff.
Yeah I lost my email and they changed everything. Idk what to do either, I think the best way to get it back is to call them because it seems like they give two shits of what you reply back to them.
They don’t answer the phone. It’s automation, with the same info as the recovery mail.
My sons email was hack and changes everything such as pass codes and phone number how can I recover it
Well they have all my gmail accounts an I cannot login with recovery or anything. My android has been hard reset so lost everything as hacked an my phone number I changed so what can I do now. I want all my google photos back
I have no access to my account. It has been compromised and I can’t recover my account! What do I do????!!!! Is there a number to Google I can call???
I have tried to recover my Google account but all efforts are in vein…I need help they changed everything even my recovery email…I need help
I have no access to my account. It has been compromised and I can’t recover my account! What do I do????!!!! Is there a number to Google I can call??h I lost my email and they changed everything. Idk what to do either, I think the best way to get it back is to call them because it seems like they give two shits of what you reply back to them.Well they have all my gmail accounts an I cannot login with recovery or anything. My android has been hard reset so lost everything as hacked an my phone number I changed so what can I do now. I want all my google photos back
I’m in the same situation. There’s nothing I can do… Did u have any luck?
Thanks for sharing this post, I would further like to ask how to recover back personal data and avoid it from misuse.
Please help I can’t still recover my Google account all privacies have been change including my number that I put on my Google account
I can’t even touch my account because they have changed my password and security question so I can’t even get into it and Google isn’t helping with the recovery thing so I can’t even long in plus they somehow removed me from entering it help please I need this back
my phone was stolen and now ALL my accounts are hacked!! I can’t get into my gmail or recovery email because the passwords and security questions have been changed! The hint for one actually says mormor haha!? I don’t find it funny. So I have absolutely no idea how to gain them back. Anyonehave any ideas? Can’t use one to get back in to the other because locked outta all, can’t text me because the phone was stolen. I haven’t started on my bank account infos and other info.
What a joke. Passwords, recovery phone numbers have all been changed. Google is ZERO help. This is my companies information, and I need it. I have not found ANY WAY to recover an account I have had with them for well over 10 years. Bottom line is I will NEVER EVER have another gmail account. No Google account or anything affiliated WITH Google. a shift to Firefox and an email change to someone other than Google. And to think I trusted these people with my information? Unethical if not downright illegal. Shame on Google.
My account is being hacked
The recovery phone number and mail is being replaced. Please what do I do to gain access back?
Obviously google don’t give a crap about its users if this crap keeps happening. Used my gmail fine yesterday and when I woke up this morning I could not access anything. Says every time that I try to recover, make a new password or literally every avenue of ways provided to change any information on it, it just keeps telling me that verification codes are being sent to a Google Authenticator that I HAVE NOT set up and my recovery email has been changed as well. They really need to get their crap together and put some better systems in against hackers if this many people are having the same exact problem. Google help says that you will get notifications if someone tries to change anything but that it pure bull because NOT ONE warning was given in advance of this situation.
Thanks