Locked out of your Google account? Here's how to get back in
If you find yourself locked out of your Facebook account, don’t panic. Take solace in the fact that your strong password will also make it difficult for cybercriminals to get access. You shouldn’t trust a stranger who promises to help you get back into your accounts. Tap or click here to see why.
Google offers various methods to get back into a locked-out account. Whether you forgot your password, lost your phone (which is commonly used to get verification codes) or got hacked, you should be able to regain access to your Google account. If your account was hijacked, try to recover it as soon as possible.
Forgot your password
Again, a strong password is worth the chance that you may forget it. There is always an easy fix for forgotten passwords, from a verification code sent to your phone or an email containing a link to reset your password.
Google gives you a few options:
- Go to accounts.google.com/signin/recovery and enter your email address or phone number.
- Click Next and choose how you want to sign in.
- Answer the questions to confirm it’s your account. Use these tips if you need help.
- Reset your password, choosing a strong one you haven’t used before. A password manager can help with this.
Forgot your username
It happens. You have multiple accounts and forgot one of your usernames. You can get this information easily for your Google account:
- Go to accounts.google.com/signin/usernamercovery and enter your email address or phone number.
- Click Next and enter the full name on your account.
- Follow the instructions to confirm it’s your account.
- Choose your username from the list.
Your account was hijacked
You may have been hacked if you notice strange activity on your account, such as finding emails you didn’t send, changed passwords, log-in credentials or notification from Google about some activity you don’t recognize.
If you believe you’ve been a victim of a cyberattack and can still sign in, follow these steps:
This mistake could make getting into your Google account almost impossible
Your devices and accounts should always be secured with strong, unique passwords. There’s no excuse to use credentials you can easily remember, as password managers can fill in the information for you.
Being locked out of your account is a frustrating experience, but it’s better than having one that’s easily hacked. If you find yourself locked out, be careful who you turn to for help. It’s just another opportunity for scammers to find a new victim. Tap or click here for more.
Locked out of your social media account? Watch out for scammers promising to help
Picture this: You settle down in the evening, ready to scroll through social media. Noticing that you are signed out, you try to log in multiple times. But it appears that you are locked out. You could follow these steps to get back in, but what if that doesn’t work?
The common mistake that will lock you out of your own Netflix account
Since the pandemic began, streaming services have become more popular than ever with a major surge in the number of subscriptions. Netflix alone added 15.6 million new paid subscribers in the first quarter of 2020.
But, are you utilizing everything Netflix has to offer? There are tons of hidden features that not everyone knows about like secret discovery codes and how to download shows to view offline. Tap or click here for 7 Netflix pro tips.