Gmail account hacked? Here is how to find out | How-to

Gmail account hacked? Here is how to find out

Gmail account is crucial nowadays for every aspect of your digital life. Therefore, it is important to know if your account has been hacked. Here is how to.

By: HIMANI JHA
| Updated on: Aug 22 2022, 10:08 IST
Know if your Gmail account has been hacked.
Know if your Gmail account has been hacked. (Shuttertsock)
Know if your Gmail account has been hacked.
Know if your Gmail account has been hacked. (Shuttertsock)

Most of our online presence revolves around email. Yes, social media is important, but the actual formal communications are all still carried on Gmail. From logging in to a new device to signing up to social and bank accounts, we need an email ID for almost everything. Since, our Gmail has all crucial information that we save knowingly or unknowingly, those who hack into your Gmail account can steal your crucial data. This will lead to scams and frauds and cause you money loss and more. Unlike computer hacking, email infiltration is tough to detect. Hackers can get access to your Gmail account without letting you know. Aside from your mobile phone, spam and other hacking methods can put your Gmail at risk.

So, how to know if your Gmail account has been hacked or not? Here are a few things that will help you know if your Gmail account has been hacked. Google is continuously improving its services like detecting malicious activities in the account. Here are a few signs that one should look out for. Make sure that you check your inbox if there's a notification regarding unusual logins.

Gmail notices if there's an attempt to change username and password. Gmail even sends mail to users warning of unusual activity: "We've detected suspicious activity on your account.” Moreover, an increased activity of spam coming from your Gmail account is a tell-tale sign. Sometimes, you might stop receiving emails altogether.

If you receive any of these notifications, know simple and easy steps to make sure that hackers do not have access to your Gmail account.

The first thing to know is who's accessing your account. Today, your computer is not the only device used to login into Gmail. Having multiple devices is normal nowadays, but becomes necessary to check what devices are accessing your account.

Google has introduced a Password Checkup add-on for the Google Chrome web browser in October, 2019.

Here’s how to check your Gmail password?

Time
Tools
Supplies
20 Minutes
  • Mobile
  • Smartphone
  • Updated browser
  • Internet
Step 1:

Users can download the free Password Checkup software from Google Chrome and let you know if your account details have been compromised in a cyber attack or data breach.

Step 2:

Once installed, the Chrome extension will start running in the background of the browser. Check any login details you used.

Step 3:

If your password or username matches with the one in  Google's database of more than 4 billion compromised credentials, the software will automatically flag them.

Step 4:

An alert will pop up on your screen as "Password Checkup detected that your password for [website] is no longer safe due to a data breach. You should change your password now."

Step 5:

If your data has already been hacked then , the tool will let you know if any of your passwords were compromised the next time you login to Chrome.

Step 6:

You’ll see a list of exposed accounts that tried to steal your data to change your passwords.

Catch all the Latest Tech News, Mobile News, Laptop News, Gaming news, Wearables News , How To News, also keep up with us on Whatsapp channel,Twitter, Facebook, Google News, and Instagram. For our latest videos, subscribe to our YouTube channel.

First Published Date: 21 Feb, 07:40 IST
Tags:
NEXT ARTICLE BEGINS