Is your YouTube account hacked? Losing access to the channel you built with much hard work can be stressful and overwhelming. Thousands of creators face a similar situation. But don’t panic.! The good news is that you can quickly recover your account without hassle. All you have to do is follow the proper steps.
This blog will guide you in identifying the signs of hacking, recovering your YouTube hacked account, and securing it for the future.
Signs To Look For When Your YouTube Account Is Hacked
Before panicking, confirming whether the account has been compromised is essential. Watch out for the following red flags:
- Unauthorized Changes: Check if any changes have been made without your permission, such as changes in passwords or alterations in phone numbers or email addresses.
- Strange Activity: If you notice any irregular or new video uploads you are unaware of. This can include videos deleted from the account or even edited.
- Suspicious Comments: If any messages and comments are posted on videos from your account that you have not posted.
- Notification Received: If you receive any update on your account, sign in messages from an unknown device.
- Locked Out: You cannot log in to your account with the correct password.
All these activities point out that your YT account has been hacked. So, if you face similar situations, you must quickly move to damage control to regain hold of your YouTube account.
What are the reasons that a YouTube account is hacked and terminated?
Hmm. Let’s understand human psychology, shall we? Any account with many subscribers is the best bait for these online hackers. They admire getting hold of the new rise to popularity as milk cows and extracting meaningful information from them!
These YouTube channels with a significant subscriber rate also have their accounts monetized, meaning cybercriminals can access many revenue-making profits!
Immediate Steps To Take If Your YouTube Account Is Hacked
If your account is compromised, follow these steps to regain access to your account:
Google Account Recovery
Visit the Google account support page when you notice an unusual activity. This is your first line of defense. Follow all the prompts to verify your account identity. Answer all the security-based questions, such as backup email address or phone number.
Reset Account Password
Even if you have partial access to your account, you must immediately change the password. Create a strong password that you have not used before. Save the password securely with the help of the password manager.
Update Recovery Email And Phone Number
To prevent hacking in the future, it is essential to keep the recovery details updated. Change the details if necessary. If you still have not added the recovery details, now is the time to add additional information to your Google account.
How To Recover A YouTube-Hacked Account Through Google AI Assistant?
To provide security from hackers and cybercrime, YouTube is launching an AI-based chatbot to help you quickly recover your account. Here are the detailed steps to follow:
- Visit the YouTube Help Center:
Open the YouTube Help webpage at support.google.com/youtube. - Log In to Your Google Account:
Make sure you’re logged into your Google Account to proceed with recovery. - Navigate the Help Center Menu:
Scroll to “Fix a problem” or “Manage your account and settings” under the Help Centre menu. - Find the Recovery Option:
Eligible accounts will see a new option, “Recover a hacked YouTube channel.” - Chat with the AI Assistant:
Click the “Chat with our hacked channel assistant” button on the recovery page. This will open a chat window where Google’s AI assistant will guide you through securing and recovering your account.
Secure Your YouTube Account After Recovery
YouTube security concerns are on the rise. According to a survey, the number of hacked YouTube accounts has increased substantially over the past year! This might lead you to consider securing your YouTube channel from theft. We are glad you are making your channel safe!
Enable 2-Factor Authentication
There are chances that an elite hacker can get access to your passwords. But do you know the catch here? When you start using 2FA authentication, it gets comparatively complex for hackers to bypass the wall. These are the codes that YouTube will send to your mobile phone when you log in. Double security is necessary. You can also contact YouTube customer service for a proper solution to your query!
Use A Strong Password
Avoid simple and previously used passwords, such as birthdays and anniversaries. These are very easy for hackers to crack. Instead, use a mix of uppercase, lowercase, special characters, numbers, and symbols to create a unique and different password.
Be Aware Of Phishing Scams
With cybercrime on the rise, awareness of phishing emails from unknown sources is essential. To gain access to your personal details and accounts, hackers usually send fake messages or unknown links and attachments to download. Always verify the sender’s details and avoid clicking on any links.
Titan security key can prevent your YouTube account hacked
Did you know there is an external method through which you can take care of your YT channel? The trick is the Titan security key. Introduced by cloud Google, the key provides cryptographic proof that requires you to give your thumbprint. The USB Type-A costs you around $30, and USB-C is around $35!
- You can download software from secure websites.
- If you find any suspicious emails, it’s a good idea not to open them.
- Using complex passwords can also help you prevent your account from getting access.
Conclusion
We hope you got an idea of how you can handle things when your YouTube account is hacked! Prevention is key to protecting your YouTube account. Follow these simple and practical tips to secure the account. Stay updated on standard hacking techniques, use antivirus software, do not share your login credentials with anyone, and enable notifications to stop any unusual sign-in activity in your Google account.