The number of cyber attack cases is steadily rising. On Wednesday night, a major cyber attack targeted the YouTube channel of popular YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia. This incident occurred just days after the YouTube channel of the Supreme Court of India was hacked.
In Ranveer Allahbadia’s case, the cyber attackers changed the channel’s name to “Tesla,” including his Beer Biceps brand. They also deleted his podcast and interview videos, replacing them with livestreams featuring Elon Musk and Donald Trump.
Hackers often target social media accounts with large followings. If you have a significant number of subscribers on your YouTube channel, it’s essential to be vigilant. Once hacked, you may lose control of your account, leaving it vulnerable to misuse by cyber attackers.
In light of this, the question arises: what should you do if your YouTube account is hacked? Here’s a guide to help you navigate such situations.
What to Do if Your YouTube Account is Hacked
There are two possible scenarios if your YouTube account is hacked: either you can still log in, or you cannot. If you’re able to log in, follow these steps immediately:
- Change Your Password
Log in to your Google account through a browser.
Click on your profile photo and select “Manage Your Google Account.”
Go to the “Security” section, then “Signing in to Google.”
Choose the password option and create a strong, new password.
- Log Out from All Devices
Log in to your Google account.
Click on your profile photo and select “Manage Your Google Account.”
Go to the “Security” section and select the “Your Devices” option.
You’ll see a list of devices where your account is logged in. Remove access from any unfamiliar devices.
If you’re unable to log in to your YouTube account, your only option is to go through the YouTube account recovery process. During recovery, you’ll be asked several security questions. Answer these as accurately as possible to reset your password and regain control of your account.