Google has emphasized the importance of setting up recovery details for your Gmail account in case of a hack, as users may be locked out with only a limited time to regain access. A common tactic used by hackers is to change passwords, phone numbers, and even passkeys to prevent the genuine account holder from regaining control.
According to Google, if an attacker changes your recovery phone number, you have up to 7 days to use that original recovery phone number to regain control of your account. To take advantage of this time window, it is essential to set up a recovery email and phone number for your Gmail account.
Google recommends using phishing-resistant authentication technologies, such as security keys or passkeys, to protect their Google accounts. Additionally, users should ensure they have a backup code available in case the recovery email is compromised.
To add or change recovery information on Android devices, open the device settings app, select “Google,” and then “manage your Google account” option. Users can also try changing their recovery information after a week using the same device or from another regularly used device to sign into their Google account.
It is crucial for users to set up their recovery details as soon as possible to avoid being locked out of their account due to a hack. With 2025 approaching, making it a priority to rectify this can be a valuable new year’s resolution.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/daveywinder/2024/12/06/gmail-takeover-hack-attack-google-warns-you-have-just-7-days-to-act