I recently opened my laptop and noticed that it prompted me to log in using my email password instead of the usual PIN I set up. This was surprising because I never use that option. After unlocking my laptop, everything seemed normal—my apps were all in place and there wasn't any unusual history. However, I found a search that just said "Hi (name)" in my history, which raised alarm bells. I really want to figure out how someone might have accessed my Gmail password to log in. I checked my Google account to see what devices were signed in, and it looks like only my devices are showing up, which are secure. I'm really confused and could use some help!
4 Answers
Sometimes laptops update and lose access to saved PINs, which can require logging in with your email. Check if your PIN still works. If it does, maybe you just need to reset your settings.
You might want to look into security products like Kon-boot, which can bypass password entry. It’s something to consider if you're really worried about unauthorized access.
It sounds like someone either saw you enter your password or maybe even guessed it. The best move now is to change both your email and laptop passwords to secure them immediately.
Yeah, that's what I thought too, but I've kept my password private and just changed it a couple of days ago. I checked with my family too, and they swear they don't know anything about it.
Getting a security key like Google Titan or Yubikey would be a smart investment. Also, consider switching to two-factor authentication for added protection. It could definitely help keep your accounts secure and discourage any unauthorized access from anyone you know.
The PIN is still working fine. My main worry is how someone could have known my Gmail password.