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:

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:

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Window's tool to wipe out your data leaves some behind - Here's how to fix it

Nobody’s perfect, and we all make mistakes. Ever accidentally sent an email before you finished writing it or spilled coffee on your keyboard? You’re not alone.

What happens when you accidentally delete a file? It may end up in your computer’s digital trash can, but that’s not always the case. Don’t panic. There are a few ways to recover deleted files. Tap or click here to learn how.

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Podiatrist-recommended kicks for your barkin’ dogs

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I know I opened my iPhone for a reason: If you accidentally delete an item from your Reminders app, you can still recover it! Open the app and select Recently Deleted. Find your note, then choose Move To so it goes back to where it was before. Don’t forget: You can only recover reminders deleted within the last 30 days. Now, what was I doing again?

Was your PC hit by the CrowdStrike fiasco? Microsoft just released a recovery tool to help. You’ll need admin privileges and a $7 USB stick to run it (steps here). The tool will walk you through creating a bootable USB drive. FYI: It’ll wipe anything already saved on the USB, so make sure it’s empty first!

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Remember the 20th anniversary of 9/11 with these sites and interactive tours

There is no doubt that the attacks on September 11th, 2001, had a huge impact, not only on the U.S. but across the world. The unthinkable happened when terrorists flew airplanes into the Twin Towers in New York City and The Pentagon, killing thousands. The day will forever be known as the 9/11 attacks.

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People are paying $299 to get back into their hacked Facebook accounts - Here's why

Social media is great for keeping up with friends and relatives. It’s also a great time waster. You can use social media to shop, get the latest news and read the political rantings of some guy on the other side of the world whom you will never meet.

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The 8 biggest privacy and security changes iOS 14 adds to your iPhone

Every year Apple brings big changes to iOS, and this year is no different. The latest version, iOS 14, brings with it big changes like widgets and App Clips, but there are also a ton of important privacy updates.

Though iOS continues to change for the better, there are still essential apps out there that you’ll want to add to your system. Tap or click here for 10 apps you need right now if you have an iPhone or iPad.

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The secret about ransomware attacks hackers don't want you to know

Ransomware is one of the worst kinds of malware that can come across your system. Once it’s installed, it will lock all your critical files and prevent you from accessing them unless you pay up — usually in the form of Bitcoin.

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Make a home inventory the easy way

Every homeowner dreads coming home to the scene of a burglary. Whether you’ve gone on a two-week vacation or a 15-minute errand, it could happen to anyone.

Your first instinct after calling the police may be to lock your house down like Fort Knox for the rest of your life, but what are you going to do about what was stolen?

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