How to Avoid Having Your Google Account Hacked GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Software & Apps > Google Apps 60 60 people found this article helpful

How to Avoid Having Your Google Account Hacked

Keep your Google account safe

By Marziah Karch Marziah Karch Writer Michigan State University Emporia State University Marziah Karch is a former writer for Lifewire who also excels at Serious Game Design and develops online help systems, manuals, and interactive training modules. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on March 8, 2021 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Google Apps Docs Sheets Slides

What to Know

Don't reuse passwords, and don’t make up passwords—use password generators. Also, delete emails that include passwords. Keep your computer’s antivirus software up-to-date. Don't use security questions that anyone can discover. Also, use Google's Two-Step Verification. You use your Google account for Gmail, but you also might use it for other apps, including your Android phone login and Google Play account. Because it's such a big part of your online identity, you can, and should, take some important steps to protect your Google password. Credit: Zero Creatives Don't reuse passwords. Coming up with a unique password for each service you use is the most important rule. Using the same password makes it easier for hackers to get to your data. If you use only one, they can guess your password once and know it everywhere. If you don't want to write every password down, use a management system like PassPack or LastPass to store them digitally. You still need to make sure your passwords are strong, and you still need to change them every once in a while. Even LastPass has been hacked. Don't make up your own passwords. A lot of sites offer advice on how to make up memorable, secure passwords, but they're never going to be as secure as letting a machine do it. Humans fall into patterns and tend to put numbers, symbols, and uppercase elements of passwords into the same spots. Use a random password generator to make secure passwords. Most password storage services, including LastPass and Chrome's built-in password-saving feature, offer the option to generate a password when you have to come up with a new one and will remember it for you. To see passwords you've saved using Chrome's secure password-saving feature, visit chrome://settings/passwords. Use two-step verification. Two-step verification requires two separate items: something you have and something you know. Set up your Google account to employ two-step verification that relies on your password and your phone. When you log in from a new computer, Google will text you a number for additional security. Google offers its own authenticator app that runs two-factor on many different sites. Make sure your secondary email address in Gmail is still valid. Google uses your secondary email address to reach you in case your primary address is compromised, or you've forgotten your password. To check your recovery email, go to Settings > See all settings > Accounts and Import > Change password recovery options. Look at the entry for Recovery email and verify that it's correct. Don't use security questions that anyone can discover. Consider lying on verification questions in a way you remember, but others won't guess. Put down the name of your favorite stuffed animal as your first pet, or pretend you actually grew up in Narnia. Delete any registration messages that contain your password, or use an easy password to register for a service and then immediately change it to something more secure. Keep your computer's antivirus software up to date. Password security won't help you if someone has compromised your desktop with a keylogger. Delete any emails that include passwords, especially if you've been using the same passwords for a while. To find them, go to your Gmail account and use the search box to search for any reference you may have made to "password" or "registration." Delete any registration messages you've been sent containing your password—or use it as an opportunity to go on a password-changing spree. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Run a Google Security Checkup How to Use the Chrome Password Manager How to Recover a Forgotten Gmail Password How to Set Up, Check, and Change a Secondary Gmail Address How to Find Out Who (or What) Is Accessing Your Gmail How to Fix It When You're Locked Out of Your Gmail Account How to Sync Google, Outlook, and iPhone Calendars How to Change Your Facebook Password How to Reset or Change Your Instagram Password How to Create a Strong Password How to Secure Your Gmail With Two-Step Authentication How to Change Your Gmail Password The 5 Best Secure Email Services for 2022 How to Access Yahoo Mail With Outlook How to Save Passwords on an iPad How to Save Passwords in Chrome for iOS Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies