Anyone who's ever had their Google account hacked can tell you what a pain it is to recover. You'll spend hours or even days on it, and recovery isn't guaranteed, no matter what you do.
On Wednesday, Google announced the addition of several new security features to help prevent you from getting hacked and to make account recovery easier.
One method may remind you of the game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Just like in that game, it involves phoning a friend.
Don't miss any of our unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add CNET as a preferred Google source.
Recover your Google account with a trusted contact
Google is already rolling out the new features, dubbed Recovery Contacts, but not everyone has them yet. If they are available, you'll find them in the Security section of your Google Account settings.
First, you add a trusted contact to your Google account by following this link. Obviously, you want to use only your most reliable contacts, like a spouse or close friend. Your contact will receive an email asking them to accept your invite, and it's done.
Then, if your account becomes compromised, you'll see the option to ask your friend to help you sign in. They'll see a prompt on their device, and once they verify your identity, you'll be allowed back into your account, where you can change your password and other credentials.
Remember that this addition gives Google additional information about your connection with your chosen contact.
"On one hand, Recovery Contacts is a really good idea," CNET senior editor Lori Grunin said. "On the other hand, it helps Google build a web of associations among people that it might otherwise not have and that can potentially be misused."
... continue reading