A Google account is the gateway to a variety of services such as Gmail, Google Drive, YouTube and more. To maintain the security of personal information and data, it is very important to regularly change your Google account password. In this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to safely change your Google account password.
Google Password Function
The Google password functions as an access key that secures the Google account. Its function is very important to protect personal data and maintain account security from unauthorized access. Here are some of the main functions of Google passwords:
Account Security: Passwords serve as the first layer of security that prevents unauthorized or unauthorized persons from accessing sensitive information in an account, such as email, contacts, calendars, documents, and other personal data.
User Authentication: When you try to log in to your Google account, you will usually be asked to enter the correct email address and password combination. This verifies your identity as the legal owner of the account and allows access to Google services connected to the account.
Data Encryption: Passwords help protect your data by encrypting the information stored in your account. This means that your data is converted into a code that cannot be read by anyone who does not have the appropriate password.
Prevent Unauthorized Access: With a strong and unique password, you can prevent unauthorized access attempts by malware or cybercriminals who try to hack your account.
Protecting Connected Accounts: Your Google Account is connected to various services, such as Gmail, Google Drive, YouTube, and more. With a strong password, you also protect access to these services, preventing others from accessing or taking over your account and connected information.
Financial Transactions: If you connect your Google account with a payment service or app store, your password serves as a security measure to protect your financial transactions.
It’s important to keep your Google passwords secure by following best practices, such as using a strong and different password for each account, changing your password regularly, and not sharing your password with others. Additionally, enable additional security features like two-step verification to provide an extra layer of protection for your Google account.
Google password change guide
Here are the steps to change the google password, read slowly to understand:
Step 1:
Sign in to your Google Account
Open a web browser and visit the Google website (www.google.com).
Click on the “Sign in” button in the top right corner of the screen.
Enter your Google account email address and password.
Click the “Sign In” button to access your Google account.
Step 2: Access Google Account Settings
After successful login, click on your avatar or your initials in the top right corner of the screen.
From the dropdown menu that appears, select the “Settings” or “Google Account” option if available.
Step 3: Navigate to Security Section
On the Google Account Settings page, select the “Security” tab in the left panel.
In this section, you will find various security options for your account.
Step 4: Change Password
Find the “Password” option and click on the link that says “Log in again if necessary” or “Change password” (depending on what you see).
Google may ask you to re-enter your account password to verify your identity.
Step 5: Verify Identity
At this point, you may be asked to enter your account password again as an additional security measure.
If you have active two-step verification enabled, you may also be asked to enter a verification code sent to your mobile device or a backup email address.
Step 6: Changing Password
Once your identity is verified, you will be taken to a page where you can enter a new password.
Type a new strong and secure password. Make sure the password consists of a combination of letters (upper and lower case), numbers, and special characters.
Try not to use passwords that are easy to guess such as date of birth, name or other common words.
Make sure the password is of sufficient length to increase security (minimum 8 characters).
If possible, use a passphrase that is easy to remember but difficult for others to guess.
Step 7: Confirm Changes
After you enter your new password, Google may ask you to confirm your password by entering it again.
Retype the new password to make sure you entered it correctly.
Step 8: Settlement and Notification
Click the “Change password” or “Save” button to save the new password change.
Google will notify you that your password has been changed successfully.
Tips on How to Protect Google Password
Protecting your Google password is critical to keeping your account and personal data secure. Here are some tips that can help you improve your Google password security:
Use a Strong and Unique Password: Create a password that is strong and difficult for others to guess. Use a combination of letters (upper and lower case), numbers, and special characters. Avoid using personal information such as name, date of birth, or other common words that are easy to guess.
Use a Passphrase: Consider using a passphrase that is easy to remember but difficult for others to guess. For example, “Cat123” or “Ball12345”.
Avoid Using the Same Password: Don’t use the same password for your Google account as for any other account. If one account is affected, the other accounts remain safe.
Update Passwords Regularly: Routinely change your passwords at least once every few months. This will help prevent unauthorized access if your old password is leaked or exposed.
Enable Two-Step Verification (2FA): Enable the two-step verification feature for an additional layer of security. With 2FA, you must enter a verification code sent to your mobile device or a backup email address after entering your password.
Use a Password Generator: Consider using a secure password manager to manage your passwords. The password generator can generate and store strong passwords automatically, and you only need to remember one master password to access them.
Keep Passwords Confidential: Never share your passwords with others or write them down where they can be easily found. Avoid sending passwords via email or message.
Watch Out for Phishing: Beware of phishing attempts, where fraudsters try to get your passwords by sending fake emails or messages that appear genuine. Always check the website address before entering your password.
Log Out After Using: Don’t forget to log out of your Google account after using the device with other people or in public places.
Check Account Activity: Keep checking your account activity periodically to detect suspicious or unauthorized activity. Google provides a feature to view recent activity and currently active sessions.
By following the tips above, you can improve the security of your Google password and protect your account and personal data from online security threats.
Google’s Password Feature is Insecure
An insecure Google password can leave your account vulnerable to hacking and unauthorized access. Here are some characteristics of an insecure Google password:
Too Short: Passwords that are too short have low security potential. If your password only consists of a few characters, it’s easy for hackers to guess by trying all possible combinations.
Contains Personal Information: If your password contains personal information such as your name, date of birth, pet name, or other common words, it is not secure. Personal information is easy for others to find.
Containing only letters or numbers: Passwords that only contain letters or numbers tend to be less secure. Using a combination of characters such as uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers and special characters will increase security.
Using Simple Patterns or Sequences: Simple patterns or sequences such as “123456” or “abcdef” are not safe because they are easy to guess.
Same as Username: Don’t use the same password as your username or email address. Such passwords are easy to predict and easy targets for hackers.
Passwords that are too common: Avoid using common passwords that are frequently used by many people. Examples of common passwords include “password,” “123456,” “qwerty,” and the like.
Not Different from Other Accounts: Using the same password for all online accounts is unsafe. If one account is affected, then all other accounts also become vulnerable.
Not Changed Regularly: Passwords that are not changed over long periods of time increase security risks. It is important to regularly change your password.
Not Enable Two-Step Verification (2FA): Not enabling the two-step verification feature leaves your account with a low layer of security. 2FA provides additional protection by requiring an additional verification code after entering the password.
Stored in the Open: If you store your passwords in the open, such as in a physical note or on a device that other people can access, they are not secure.
If your password meets some of the characteristics above, immediately change your password to a stronger and more secure combination to protect your Google account from potential security risks.
Google Password Feature Has Been Hacked
Identifying whether a Google password has been hacked can be difficult, as some hacking techniques may not leave visible traces. However, there are some signs and characteristics that may indicate that your password has been hacked or that an attempt has been made to hack your account:
Unusual Activity: If you see suspicious activity in your login history, such as logging in from an unusual location or an unrecognized device, then it could be a sign of hacking.
Unknown Emails: You may receive an incoming notification indicating that someone has attempted or successfully logged into your account from an unrecognized device.
Password Doesn’t Work: If you’re trying to log in to your account and a password that normally works suddenly doesn’t work, then your account may have been hacked.
Unauthorized Messages or Activity: Hackers may use your account to send spam or suspicious messages to your contacts.
Account Information Changes: If there are changes to your account information, such as an alternate email address, phone number, or security questions, that you didn’t make, it could be a sign of hacking.
Google Notification Messages: If Google sends you a notification about suspicious activity in your account, it should be taken seriously and warrants further investigation.
Hijacked Account: If you’ve lost access to your account and can’t log in using your usual password, it’s likely your account has been hacked.
Steps to Secure Google Passwords That May Be Hacked
If you suspect that your Google password has been hacked or there is suspicious activity on your account, take the following actions immediately:
Change Password: Change your Google account password immediately to a strong and unique password.
Security Verification: Check and update your Google account security settings, including two-step verification (2FA).
Check Connected Devices: Make sure only authorized and known devices are connected to your Google account.
Check App Permissions: Revoke access of suspicious or unknown third-party apps.
Check Message Settings: Make sure messages or security responses were accessed by you and not modified by hackers.
Remember to always keep your Google account secure by following best practices for password management and security features provided by Google.
Closing
Changing your Google account password regularly is an important step to keep your data and personal information safe. Always make sure to use a strong password, different from your other accounts, and never share your password with anyone else. By following this guide, you can improve the security of your Google account and protect yourself from potential security risks.
