Protecting Yourself After Encountering a Phishing Attempt: What to Do If You Accidentally Used Google Login on a Fake Website
In today’s digital landscape, the threat of phishing scams is ever-present. Recently, I had a close call that could have easily turned into a serious security concern. Here’s my experience and the steps I took to ensure my safety, which might help you too.
While attempting to log in to a familiar website, I mistakenly added an extra character to the URL. This error redirected me to a deceptive site that closely mimicked the original. While I usually log in using my Google account, I initially hesitated to enter my username and password directly. However, I did click on the Google login option, only to be led to yet another counterfeit page that still claimed I was logged out. After a few frustrating attempts, I finally realized that I was not on the authentic site.
My immediate concern was whether my attempt to log in using Google could have jeopardized my personal information. Fortunately, Google provides a level of protection, only sharing minimal details such as my name, email address, location, and profile picture. But this led me to question if I needed to take additional measures to safeguard my account.
Steps Taken to Secure My Account
To enhance my security after this incident, I took the following precautions:
-
Password Change: Although I didn’t enter my credentials, I opted to change my Google password as a precaution. Always a smart move after any suspicious activity.
-
Enable Two-Factor Authentication: I activated two-factor authentication (2FA) on my Google account. This adds an extra layer of security, ensuring that even if someone gets hold of my password, they would still need a second form of verification to access my account.
-
Review Account Activity: I regularly monitor my Google account activity for any unauthorized access. This can often help identify any suspicious behavior early on.
-
Educate Yourself on Phishing Tactics: Learning about how to recognize phishing attempts can be incredibly beneficial. Familiarize yourself with common tactics that scammers use to deceive unsuspecting users.
-
Bookmark Legitimate Sites: To avoid this situation in the future, I began bookmarking trusted websites instead of relying on search engines, reducing the risk of landing on fraudulent sites.
-
Report the Fake Website: After realizing what happened, I reported the fake website to Google. This helps protect others from encountering the same issue.
Conclusion
Share this content: