Is a hacker logged into your Google account? Here’s how to tell

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If you live in a more populated area, you likely check your doors before bed to make sure they’re locked. The same idea is worthwhile to apply to your vital online accounts, too—verifying that they’re secure.

In that vein, a periodic review of devices logged into your Google account is a good idea. If someone’s stolen your password, you should be aware of that unauthorized access to all your email, photos, videos, and other files. A hacker isn’t the only person to be worried about, either. A romantic partner, roommate, family member, or friend could decide to spy on you, too. You should be sure that only the right people have access.

To see which devices are logged into your Google account, you can use either on a PC or your phone. If you spot any intruders, remove them—and then also change your password to prevent future unauthorized logins.

On a PC

The fast way to check is to head directly to google.com/devices. Otherwise you can go the manual route:

Open a page for a Google service (search, Gmail, etc)

Click your profile icon at the top right of a browser window

Choose Manage your Google Account

Click Security on the left side of the page

Scroll down to Your devices

Click on Manage all devices

Look over the list of devices logged into your accounts. For any you don’t recognize, click on them, and then choose Sign out button in the top section of this info screen.

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In the Google app

On either Android or iOS, open the Google app

Click your profile icon at the top right

Choose Manage your Google Account

Choose Security from the tabs along the top

Scroll down to Your devices

Tap on Manage all devices

Check through the devices logged into your account. If one looks unfamiliar, tap on it for more details. To boot it from access, tap the Sign out button under the device’s information. (It’s toward the top.)

Declutter your linked apps and services, too

For a Google account, your biggest concern about unauthorized access should be unfamiliar devices logged in. But you should be cautious about third-party services linked to your Google account, too. 

Defunct or abandoned third-party apps and services could get taken over by hackers, who can then abuse the permissions you may have granted those other accounts. Or, on the flip side, hackers can take over abandoned Google accounts (like say, for a shuttered business) and reactivate them to gain access to linked third-party apps and services.

Either way, cleaning house helps reduce this risk—you can read how in our quick guide for how to wipe those forgotten apps linked to your Google account.

Further reading: If you don’t use these PC security essentials, you’re begging to be hacked

Author: Alaina Yee, Senior Editor, PCWorld

A 14-year veteran of technology and video games journalism, Alaina Yee covers a variety of topics for PCWorld. Since joining the team in 2016, she’s written about CPUs, Windows, PC building, Chrome, Raspberry Pi, and much more—while also serving as PCWorld’s resident bargain hunter (#slickdeals). Currently her focus is on security, helping people understand how best to protect themselves online. Her work has previously appeared in PC Gamer, IGN, Maximum PC, and Official Xbox Magazine.