Credit - Gmail
Gmail Account Takeover Warning: 7 Days to Regain Access After Hack Attack
Gmail users beware: a growing number of people are falling victim to Gmail account takeover attacks, where hackers compromise their accounts and lock them out by changing passwords, phone numbers, and passkeys. If you’ve ever wondered what happens when your Gmail account is hacked, you’re not alone. Many users reach out for help, only to discover that the attacker has made it nearly impossible to regain access.
While some requests for help may be from individuals attempting to hack someone else’s Gmail account, many are pleas from people whose online life has been disrupted due to the takeover of an account. Hackers use sophisticated techniques to hijack accounts, leaving users often powerless to get back in. Here’s what you need to know to protect your account and what to do if you find yourself locked out.
What Happens in a Gmail Account Takeover?
A typical example of how this usually happens in the case of a Gmail account takeover has been highlighted in posts on online forums like Reddit. One user explained how he got locked out after hackers changed his password, fingerprint passkeys, and recovery phone number. The user suspected malware on his device, which gave the hacker full control of the account, preventing him from logging back into the account. In cases like this, even the recovery email may not be good enough to regain access since attackers often change all the recovery options to lock out the legitimate owner.
Google’s Urgent Warning: Act Within 7 Days
Google has confirmed that if your Gmail account is compromised and your recovery information is altered, you have a narrow window of just 7 days to regain control. This is a critical timeframe, especially if the hacker has changed your recovery phone number. If you’re locked out, you’ll need to act quickly to recover your Gmail account before it’s too late.
Ross Richendrfer, the spokesperson for Google, said attackers may add a security key or passkey to keep the account owner from accessing once they have compromised a Gmail account. This is one of many tactics email hijackers attempt to use, and there’s an important lesson here because using phishing-resistant authentication technologies such as security keys or passkeys will protect your Gmail account from compromise.
How to Regain Access to a Hacked Gmail Account
If you get locked out of your Gmail account after it gets hacked, here is what you should do:
- Use Your Recovery Options: Google encourages the setup of a recovery phone number and a recovery email address. These are your two lifelines when your account is compromised.
- Time-Sensitive Recovery: In the event of an attacker changing your recovery phone number, you have a 7-day window to use your original recovery phone number to recover your account. Make sure your recovery email and phone number are up to date to avoid this issue.
- Update Your Recovery Information: Make sure your recovery phone is a smartphone you have with you, and you use regularly. Your recovery email should also be a different, commonly used email, not connected to your Gmail account.
- Be Prepared for Delays: Sometimes, if you’re signing in from a device or location that Google doesn’t recognize, you may not be able to change your recovery information right away. Google recommends that you wait a week and then try again from a familiar device or location in order to make any changes that you need to make.
Prevent Future Gmail Account Takeovers
The best ways to avoid becoming a victim of future Gmail account takeover attacks are as follows:
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication: One should always use 2FA and add a layer of security to the Gmail account.
- Enable Phishing-Resistant Authentication: Enable your account with advanced security features like a security key or Google’s Advanced Protection Program.
- Update Your Recovery Information: Update your recovery email and recovery phone number from time to time.
- Be Cautious about Phishing Attempts: Never click on suspicious links or disclose personal information based on uninvited emails or messages.
In the event of an account takeover warning or if you think your Gmail account has been accessed by an attacker, you will have up to 7 days to reclaim it. Set up strong recovery options, like a recovery phone number and email, to defend your account against these types of attacks. Follow these steps and keep your security settings current to help prevent falling prey to hackers who want to access your Gmail account.
Be always vigilant and proactive. Checkout Gmail’s new email security feature.
