Google reveals ‘red bar’ clue that someone hacked your account – list shows dozens of signs you’re now a victim

GOOGLE has revealed a list of ways to tell if your account has been compromised and tips on what to do next.

The tech giant offers support to users who suspect their accounts have been hacked through its online Help Center.

The most telling sign is a red bar at the top of the screen with the message: “We detected suspicious activity on your account.”

But the company offers a number of other ways to tell if you’ve been hacked.

Google will provide notifications in most cases, including those about an unusual sign-in, a new device in your account, or changes to your username, password, or security settings.

But users are also encouraged to be proactive if they notice changes to their account information that they don’t remember authorizing.

Users should immediately correct their settings if they detect unknown changes to their recovery phone number, recovery email address, or alternate email addresses.

Other areas that may be affected are the name on your Google Account, security issues, or location sharing issues.

The tech giant also encourages users to take action if they detect changes to its two-step verification (2SV) methods.

Google’s 2SV provides an additional layer of security by requiring users to provide additional information during the login process.

This may include receiving a text code, providing verification in an authenticator app, or using biometric information such as a facial scan to log in.

Two-step verification is turned on by default – if you don’t remember to turn it off, it could be a sign that you’ve been hacked.

Users are also encouraged to change their settings if they suspect that other applications have gained unauthorized access to their accounts.

A feature called “access to less secure apps” is automatically disabled. Prevents apps and devices with less secure sign-in technology from accessing your Google account.

If the setting is enabled, it may indicate that a malicious actor has logged into your account.

Unknown purchases on Google Pay can be a huge red flag.

How to keep information safe online

Here’s what Mackenzie Tatananni, science and technology reporter at The US Sun, had to say.

It’s more important than ever to understand how your data is being stored and shared.

While hackers can gain access to your accounts through brute force attacks – simply guessing your password until they get it right – it’s also possible that your information is circulating online.

Organizations such as banks and telecommunications companies store their information in digital databases. Sometimes criminals access these databases in what is known as a data breach.

They can then share this confidential information with the public. In fact, I have seen websites dedicated to sharing leaked data on the dark web.

Some tech companies, like Apple, will notify you if a saved password turns up in a data breach somewhere – but other times you might not know until it’s too late.

A useful (although not always up-to-date) tool is haveibeenpwned.com. Simply enter your email address to show whether your information was exposed, as well as the company or website it was taken from.

Strong passwords are an essential part of keeping your data secure. Do not repeat passwords between sites. Make sure they are at least 12 characters long (but the more the better). Use a combination of letters, numbers and symbols if permitted. Dictionary words, names and other personal information such as birthdays are among the easiest for hackers to guess.

As always, use common sense. You may receive fraudulent emails and text messages asking you to share personal information. Be aware of the signs of fraud – agencies like FTC It is OFCOM has a wide range of tools that can keep you informed and informed.

The tech giant encourages users to remove accounts and bank cards, including gift cards, that have suddenly been linked to their Google Pay account without permission.

Users can report fraudulent charges to Google for a refund. It is also advisable to contact your bank or credit card company.

If you think someone else has logged into your account, Google encourages you to change your password immediately.

This information must be updated on sites where you use the same password, as it may have been compromised. Be sure to change the information anywhere it is saved, including your browser.

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Users are also encouraged to identify and remove any unknown devices connected to their accounts.

The process is quite simple: start by selecting “Security” in the left navigation pane of your Google account.

In the “Your devices” panel, select “Manage devices”. This will show all devices that are currently connected.

If you want to remove a device, click the three dots in the top right corner of the device tab.

Google also offers a security check tool that gives you an overview of your account.

This function displays your security settings and connected devices so you can analysis and make the desired changes.

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