What to Do If Your Gmail Got Hacked

If your Gmail account gets hacked, hackers can steal your personal information or try to access your bank and social media accounts.

And you're not alone, Gmail has over 2.5 billion users around the world, so it’s a big target for hackers.

In this guide, we’ll share with you exactly what to do when your email is hacked, how to get your account back, and how to protect your account for the future.

Yes, hackers can hack your Gmail account. Once they get into your Gmail, they can change your passwords and try to blackmail you for money.

One of the most common ways hackers do this is through phishing. You might get an email that looks like it’s from Google or your bank, asking you to click a link or sign in quickly.

If you click the link and provide information, they can steal your login details.

In 2025, reports showed that 91% of Gmail hacks started with phishing emails, and these fake emails are getting harder to spot.

Another method is called credential stuffing. Hackers collect usernames and passwords from other leaks and try the same details on Gmail. If you use the same password for many sites, your Gmail becomes an easy target.

Some hackers also use malware or keylogger tools that run in the background on your device and record what you type, including your Gmail password.

Once they get in, hackers usually change your recovery email and phone number, which makes it really hard to get your Gmail back.

Most people don’t notice their Gmail has been hacked until it’s too late. Hackers don’t always change your password or leave clear signs.

Sometimes, they quietly watch your account or set up ways to read your emails without you knowing.

That’s why it’s important to know the signs early.

1. You Can’t Log In

If your password suddenly doesn’t work and you didn’t change it, it’s a strong sign someone else changed it. Hackers often change the password and recovery options first so that you can’t regain access.

2. Notice Strange Emails

Look in your Sent folder. Are there emails you don’t remember sending, especially to people you don’t know? Hackers might be using your account to trick others or send malicious links.

They might also delete these emails, so check your Trash folder too.

3. Receive Alerts from Google

Google will sometimes warn you about strange sign-ins, new devices, or login attempts from places you don’t recognize. If you get messages like “Someone used your password” or “New sign-in from a device,” these are signs someone might have hacked your account.

4. Unusual Login Locations

At the bottom right of your Gmail on a computer, there is a link called “Details” under “Last account activity.” Click it to see a list of devices and IP addresses that recently accessed your account.

If you see places you’ve never been or times you weren’t using your email, your account might be hacked.

5. Recovery Info Changed

One common trick hackers use is to change your recovery options secretly. This gives them full control if you try to reset your password later.

Go to the Google Account Security page and scroll down to “Ways we can verify it’s you.” Make sure your recovery phone and email are still yours.

6. Unknown Filters or Forwarding

Hackers sometimes add hidden filters or forwarding addresses so they get copies of your emails without you knowing.

Go to Settings > See all settings > Filters and Blocked Addresses and Forwarding and POP/IMAP. Delete anything you didn’t add yourself.

7. Friends Got Strange Emails

Sometimes, your friends or coworkers may alert you first. If people say they got suspicious messages from your Gmail - especially with links or attachments - you should assume your account was hijacked and start taking action immediately.

8. Unwanted Sign-Up or Reset Emails

Hackers may try to use your Gmail to sign up for financial services, crypto exchanges, or shopping platforms.

If you’re getting verification codes or password reset emails you didn’t request, someone else might be using your inbox to gain access to other accounts.

If someone hacked your Gmail account, it’s hard to know exactly who did it, but you can still find:

• IP address
• City/country
• Type of device used

But unless police or a court gets involved, you probably won’t find the person’s name or face. Most hackers use fake names and VPNs to hide themselves.

Here’s how:

1. Open Gmail on your computer
2. Go to the bottom right corner of your inbox
3. Click on the word “Details” under “Last account activity”
4. A new box will open. It shows:

• • Access Type (browser, mobile)
  • IP Address
  • Location
  • Date and Time

Copy any suspicious IP addresses and paste them into an IP lookup tool like IPinfo.io or whatismyipaddress.com. These websites will tell you the city, region, ISP, and type of connection (mobile, VPN) used during the login.

If you need help, it's best to hire a Digital Forensics Expert.

According to Google’s Threat Analysis Group, over 100 million phishing emails are blocked every day. Gmail accounts are a top target because they’re connected to almost everything we do online.

So, what really happens when a Gmail account is hacked and a hacker gets access?

01 # They Gain Full Access to Your Online Life

Your Gmail is linked to Facebook, Instagram, Netflix, your bank, shopping sites, and cloud storage like Google Drive. Hackers can search your inbox, find other accounts, and reset passwords. They can take control of your entire online identity.

IBM found that 82% of data breaches involve human error, like clicking a phishing link or using a weak password.

02 # They Lock You Out Immediately

Once they’re in, hackers usually change your recovery email and phone number right away. That means you can’t reset your password or get your account back easily.

If you saved any passwords, ID photos, or personal documents in your Gmail or Google Drive, they now have full access to them.

03 # They Look for Money

Hackers search your inbox using words like “bank,” “PayPal,” “invoice,” or “statement.” They want to find financial details or any clues that could help them steal money.

In one real case from 2022, hackers got into Gmail accounts and used them to break into crypto wallets. That year, according to Chainalysis, crypto theft reached over $3.8 billion worldwide, and many of those attacks started from hacked emails.

04 # They Pretend to Be You

Once inside your Gmail account, a hacker can send emails to your contacts, like friends, family, or clients, pretending to be you.

They might ask for money, send dangerous links, or try to trick others into giving away personal info.

According to the FBI's 2024 Internet Crime Report, this kind of email scam caused over $2.9 billion in losses in one year. And it all begins with one hacked email account.

05 # They Might Sell Your Data

Your hacked Gmail can be sold on the dark web. Some accounts are worth more if they’re linked to important platforms like banks or crypto wallets. Prices can range from $1000 to $3,500 USD, depending on what services are linked to your email.

If you act quickly and follow these ten steps, you can recover your Gmail account and protect it from hackers in the future.

01 # Check if You Can Still Sign In

First, go to https://mail.google.com and try logging in with your regular email and password.

If the hacker hasn’t changed your password yet, you still have access to your account. That gives you a chance to change your password and stop them right away.

What to do:

• If you can log in, change your password right now.
• If you can’t log in, it means the hacker has already changed your password. Don’t worry. Go to the next step to recover your account.

02 # Go to Google’s Account Recovery Page

If you're locked out of your Gmail, visit https://accounts.google.com/signin/recovery. This page is made for people who forgot their password or got hacked.

What you’ll need:

• Your Gmail address.
• A recovery phone number or email (if you set them before).
• An old password you remember using.

Tip - Try to recover your account from a device and internet connection you often use. Google is more likely to trust that it’s really you.

Steps:

1. Enter your Gmail and click Next.
2. Try typing in the last password you remember.
3. If you can’t remember it, click Try another way.
4. Follow Google’s questions to prove the account is yours.
5. Once you prove it, you’ll be allowed to set a new password.

Important - Use a new password that’s strong and not used on other websites. Mix letters, numbers, and symbols.

03 # Check for Suspicious Activity

Once you get back your account, visit https://myaccount.google.com/security-checkup. This page shows you if anything strange has happened in your account.

You’ll see:

• Devices that accessed your account
• Any strange or recent changes
• Apps that are connected to your Gmail

• Look for anything you don’t recognize
• Remove unknown devices or apps
• Follow Google’s tips to fix any problems

Be careful with: Logins from countries you don’t live in, apps you don’t use, or unknown devices.

04 # Review Devices Connected to Your Account

Even if you’ve changed your password, the hacker might still be logged in on their phone or computer.

How to check:

1. Go to https://myaccount.google.com/device-activity.
2. You’ll see a list of devices that are using your Gmail.
3. Click on anything that looks strange and choose Sign Out.

Things to look for:

• Devices from places you’ve never visited.
• Devices with names or systems you don’t use (like a Mac if you only use Windows).
• More than one login in a short time from different places.

05 # Revoke Any App Passwords

App passwords are special codes that let apps (like Outlook or iPhone Mail) use your Gmail without needing your actual password. Hackers often create these to keep access to your account.

How to remove:

1. Go to your Google Account
2. Click on Security → Signing in to Google → App passwords
3. You may have to sign in again
4. Delete all app passwords - especially ones you don’t remember creating

Why this is important: App passwords allow access without needing the real password or 2FA verification code.

06 # Check Your Device for Viruses or Malware

If your phone or computer has a virus, a hacker could steal your new password again - even after you’ve changed it.

• Install a trusted antivirus or anti-malware tool
• Run a full scan of your device
• Delete any harmful files or programs the tool finds
• Restart your device and update your system

Free tools to use: Malwarebytes, Avast, AVG, or Windows Defender.

07 # Turn On Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Two-factor authentication (also called 2-Step Verification) adds extra security to your Gmail. Even if someone knows your password, they won’t get in without a second code.

How to turn on:

1. Go to https://myaccount.google.com/security
2. Find 2-Step Verification and click Get Started
3. Link your phone number or use an app like Google Authenticator

Tip: Apps like Google Authenticator or Authy are safer than using SMS text messages, but both work.

08 # Remove Third-Party Apps

Hackers sometimes give access to fake apps so they can keep stealing your information even after you change your password.

1. Go to https://myaccount.google.com/permissions
2. Look at every app and service connected to your Gmail
3. Click on Remove Access for anything you don’t know or use

Warning signs:

• Apps with strange names or logos.
• Apps asking for full email access.
• Apps you didn’t install yourself.

09 # Delete Your Gmail Account (Only If You Can’t Recover)

If you tried everything and still can’t recover your Gmail account, or you think it’s still unsafe, you can delete the account forever.

Be careful:

If you delete your Gmail, you’ll lose:

• All your emails and contacts
• Access to Google Drive, YouTube, Google Photos, and other services
• Any accounts linked to that Gmail (like your bank or social media)

How to delete:

1. Go to https://myaccount.google.com
2. Click Data & Privacy
3. Scroll down to More options
4. Choose to Delete your Google Account
5. Follow the steps to delete

Before deleting, change the email address for your bank, Facebook, Instagram, or any other accounts connected to that Gmail. You can also take assistance from an expert for better consultation.

10 # Hire a Pro or Cybersecurity Expert

If the situation feels too complicated or you’re not sure what to do, it’s a good idea to get help from a professional. Cybersecurity specialists, such as TechForing, have the skills to investigate your account and help you secure your Gmail account.

Here’s how you can keep your account safe in simple, clear steps.

1. Turn On 2-Step Verification (2SV)

This is one of the best ways to protect your Gmail account. When you turn on 2-Step Verification, Google will ask for two things when you sign in - your password and a code sent to your phone or a message that pops up on your device.

Even if someone finds out your password, they still can’t get into your account.

To turn it on:

• Go to myaccount.google.com/security
• Find “Signing in to Google”
• Click on 2-Step Verification

For extra safety, you can use the Google Authenticator app or a small physical device called a security key, like a YubiKey.

These are safer than text message codes because hackers can sometimes trick phone companies and get your SMS.

2. Use a Strong and Unique Password

Don’t use easy ones like your name, birthday, “123456,” or “password.” A strong password should be long and use a mix of capital and small letters, numbers, and symbols.

Example: Tr&8xY!49zQp!#aM2r

Also, don’t use the same password on different sites. If another site gets hacked, your Gmail account could be in danger, too.

If it’s hard to remember strong passwords, use a password manager such as LastPass or 1Password to help you create and store strong passwords safely.

3. Check Account Activity & Devices

Gmail lets you see which devices are using your account to help you find out if someone else is signed in without your permission.

To check:

• Go to myaccount.google.com
• Click Security
• Find “Your devices”
• Click Manage all devices

If you see a phone or computer you don’t know, click on it and choose “Sign out.” Then change your password right away.

Also, look at Recent Security Activity on your account page. If you see any login you didn’t do, take action fast.

4. Watch Out for Phishing Emails

Phishing is a trick hackers use to steal your info. They send fake emails that look like they’re from Google, your bank, or someone you know.

These emails try to make you click a malicious link or type your login info on a fake site.

Tips to avoid phishing:

• Always check the full email address of the mail sender - not only the name.
• Move your mouse over any link (without clicking) to see the real URL.
• Don’t open files or click links from people you don’t know.
• If something feels off, don’t click. 
• Go straight to the real website by typing it yourself in your browser.

Google’s built-in spam filter blocks many of these emails, but some still get through, so always be careful.

05 # Keep Recovery Options Updated

If you ever lose access to your Gmail, Google will use your recovery email and recovery phone number to help you get it back. Make sure these are always correct and working.

To update:

• Go to myaccount.google.com/security
• Find “Ways we can verify it’s you”
• Update Recovery phone and Recovery email

This also helps if Google finds something strange in your account and needs to check it’s really you.

6. Remove Access from Old or Unknown Apps

Sometimes you allow third-party apps (like games, browser extensions, or mobile apps) to access your Google account.

Over time, this can become a security risk - especially if the app is outdated or no longer used.

Go to myaccount.google.com/security → Find “Third-party apps with account access.” Remove any app or service you don’t remember using or don’t need anymore.

7. Use Google’s Advanced Protection (For High-Risk Users)

If you’re someone who could be a target - like a reporter, government worker, business leader, or public figure - Google offers a special service called Advanced Protection.

You can learn more and join at: https://landing.google.com/advancedprotection

Can I get my Google account back without my phone number?

Yes, you can. If you don’t have your phone anymore, you can still try to get your account back. Click on “Try another way” when recovering your account. Google may ask you to use a backup email, an old password, or details from when you made the account.

Will Google notify me if someone hacks my account?

Most of the time, yes. Google usually sends a warning if something strange happens, like a sign-in from a new device or place. If you didn’t see a warning, you can still check your account activity to see recent logins and apps that have access.

Can I find out who hacked my Google account?

You won’t see their name, but you can see the location, type of device, and IP address used to log in. Go to your account activity to check if anything looks unusual.

Can I Contact Google About a Hacked Account?

It depends. If you use free services like Gmail or Google Drive, you’ll mostly get help through online guides and recovery tools. But if you pay for something like Google Workspace, you’ll get more support options, including direct help through your account.

Can I recover a hacked Gmail?

Yes, you can usually get your Gmail back if you act fast. Try to log in and change your password. If you can’t log in, use Google’s Account Recovery page to prove it’s your account and reset the password. After that, check for strange activity and add extra security like two-step verification. If needed, take expert help.

Having your Gmail hacked can be scary, but if you follow the proper steps, you can get your account back. 

If you ever feel stuck or don’t know what to do, it’s a good idea to ask for help. TechForing has experts who know how to fix hacks and secure your account.

Speak with an Expert