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Gmail Hack
2FA 2FA bypass Cyber Security Data Recovery email database discovery Gmail checkmark system Gmail Hack

How to Recover a Hacked Gmail Account Even After a Security Breach

 

Having your Gmail account hacked can feel like a nightmare, especially when recovery details like phone numbers and email addresses have been changed by a hacker. Fortunately, recovering a compromised account is still possible, even if most security and recovery options have been altered. Google’s account recovery system is designed to assist users in situations where hackers manage to bypass protections, such as two-factor authentication (2FA). The key is to begin the process from a device and location you frequently use to access your Gmail account. This could be your home or workplace, using the same browser or device. Providing as much accurate information as possible, such as previous passwords, is critical to proving ownership of the account and speeding up the process. 

There’s also a delay system in place that can put recovery requests on hold for a few hours or even several days, depending on the level of risk involved. While frustrating, this measure is a security feature designed to protect accounts from unauthorized access. If acted upon quickly, users may still be able to recover their account using the original recovery information, such as a phone number or email address, for up to seven days after the details are changed. 

If recovery through Google’s automated system is proving difficult, users with linked YouTube accounts have sometimes found success by contacting YouTube support. Social media channels have also proven helpful in expediting the recovery process in more complex cases.  

The question remains, how do hackers bypass Gmail’s security systems? One common method is session cookie theft, which involves stealing the data that keeps users logged in after 2FA has already been verified. By taking over these session cookies, hackers can change your account’s security settings without needing to go through 2FA again. 

To protect against these types of attacks in the future, Google recommends steps like using passkeys, which are more secure than SMS-based 2FA. Passkeys are resistant to phishing and hacking attempts that steal session cookies. Additionally, Google has implemented protective measures like frequent cookie rotation and device-bound session credentials to limit the effectiveness of such attacks. Taking proactive steps like enabling these features and always monitoring account activity can help you avoid falling victim to similar hacking attempts in the future.
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Threat actors
Cyber Security Gmail Gmail checkmark system Google Security Feature Security flaw Threat actors

Google: Gmail Users Warned of a Security Flaw in its New Feature


Google has recently issued a warning to its 1.8 billion Gmail users following a security flaw that was discovered in one of its latest security functions.

The feature, Gmail checkmark system was introduced to assist users distinguish between certified businesses and organizations and legitimate emails from potential scammers. This is made possible through a blue checkmark, included in the function.

However, threat actors were able to take advantage of this feature, raising questions about the general security of Gmail.

Chris Plummer, a cybersecurity expert, found that cybercriminals could deceive Gmail into thinking their bogus businesses were real. This way, they shattered the trust Gmail users were supposed to have in the checkmark system.

"The sender found a way to dupe @gmail's authoritative stamp of approval, which end users are going to trust. This message went from a Facebook account to a UK netblock, to O365, to me. Nothing about this is legit," says Plummer.

Prior to these findings, Google dismissed the claims, calling this to be “intended behavior.” But after the issue gained a significant response following Plummer’s tweet related to the flaw, Google finally acknowledged the error.

Later, Google admitted its mistake and conducted a proper investigation into the matter. The flaw’s security was acknowledged, with Google labeling it as a ‘P1’ fix, which indicates it to be in the topmost priority status.

"After taking a closer look we realized that this indeed doesn't seem like a generic SPF vulnerability. Thus we are reopening this and the appropriate team is taking a closer look at what is going on […] We apologize again for the confusion and we understand our initial response might have been frustrating, thank you so much for pressing on for us to take a closer look at this! We'll keep you posted with our assessment and the direction that this issue takes," Google said in a statement.

Google’s warning serves as a caution to online users that security features too are vulnerable to flaws, regardless of how much advancement they may attain. Thus it is important to have a vigilant outlook on the ‘safety’ features. Users must also be careful when involving themselves with email communication.  

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