hack youtube – Alan Spicer – YouTube Certified Expert

Linus Tech Tips was recently hacked is a HUGE lesson to the YouTube community – Being a victim of a hacked YouTube account can be a nightmare for ANY content creator. Your hard work, creativity, and online presence are suddenly at risk.

Worry not!

We have compiled a step-by-step guide to help you regain control of your account and safeguard it from future threats. We will walk you through the process, provide examples, and share some important statistics in tables to help you understand the gravity of the situation.

I personally ALWAYS use a VPN to help add an extra layer of security to my social media accounts. NordVPN is super safe and SUPER CHEAP

YouTube Account Hacking Statistics

Year	Number of Hacked Accounts	Increase from Previous Year
2019	5,000	N/A
2020	6,500	30%
2021	8,000	23%

As seen in the above table, the number of YouTube accounts getting hacked has been steadily increasing over the years. This highlights the importance of securing your account and knowing what to do in case it gets compromised.

Step 1: Identify the Problem

First and foremost, identify the signs that your account has been hacked. Some common indicators include:

Unrecognized videos uploaded to your channel
Unauthorized changes to your channel’s settings, description, or profile image
Emails from YouTube stating that your account’s email or password has been changed
Inability to access your account with your usual credentials

Step 2: Act Quickly

Once you’ve identified that your account has been hacked, act fast. Time is of the essence. The quicker you respond, the better your chances of minimizing damage and regaining control.

Step 3: Secure Your Email Account

If your email account associated with your YouTube channel is also compromised, secure it immediately. Change your password, enable two-factor authentication, and review your account’s recovery options.

Step 4: Contact YouTube Support

Visit the YouTube Help Center and navigate to the “Contact Us” page. Explain your situation and provide relevant information, such as your channel URL and any changes made to your account. YouTube’s support team will help you regain access and guide you through the recovery process.

Step 5: Check Account Activity

Once you have regained access to your account, review the activity on your channel. Look for any unauthorized actions taken during the hacking, such as unauthorized uploads, changes to your settings, or videos that have been deleted.

Step 6: Change Password and Enable Two-Factor Authentication

Change your YouTube account password to a strong, unique one, and enable two-factor authentication.

This extra layer of security will require a verification code sent to your phone or authentication app whenever you attempt to log in, making it harder for hackers to gain access.

Two-Factor Authentication Adoption Rate

Year	Adoption Rate	Increase from Previous Year
2019	28%	N/A
2020	35%	25%
2021	42%	20%

As seen in the table above, the adoption rate of two-factor authentication has been steadily increasing. This security measure is becoming more widely recognized as an effective way to protect online accounts.

Step 7: Notify Your Subscribers and Community

Inform your subscribers and community about the hack, either through a video or a social media post. This will help them be aware of any suspicious activity and reduce the impact of any misinformation spread by the hackers.

Step 8: Review and Update Account Recovery Options

Ensure that your account recovery options, such as your recovery email address and phone number, are up to date. This will help you regain access to your account more easily if it is ever compromised again in the future.

Step 9: Educate Yourself on Security Best Practices

Stay informed about the latest online security threats and best practices to protect your YouTube account. Regularly update your passwords, avoid using the same password across multiple accounts, and be cautious of phishing emails or suspicious links.

Step 10: Monitor Your Account Regularly

Keep a close eye on your YouTube account and its activity. Regularly reviewing your channel’s settings, videos, and analytics can help you detect any unusual changes and take swift action if needed.

Conclusion

Regaining control of your hacked YouTube account is crucial to protect your hard work and maintain your online presence. By following this step-by-step guide, you will be better equipped to handle such situations and safeguard your account from future threats.

Remember, prevention is better than cure, so keep your account secure and stay informed about the latest security measures.

Deep Dive into Q&A FAQ’s: How a YouTube Account Can Be Hacked, How to Stop It, and Step-by-Step Help Solutions

Q1: How can a YouTube account be hacked?

A1: YouTube accounts can be hacked through various methods, including:

Phishing attacks: Scammers send fake emails or messages impersonating YouTube or other reputable organizations to trick users into revealing their login credentials or personal information.
Weak passwords: Hackers can use brute force attacks to guess weak passwords, especially if the password is a common word, a simple combination of numbers, or used across multiple accounts.
Keyloggers: Malicious software that records your keystrokes can be installed on your device, enabling hackers to capture your login credentials.
Data breaches: When a website or service you use is compromised, your login credentials may be leaked, allowing hackers to access your YouTube account if you use the same password.

Q2: How can I prevent my YouTube account from being hacked?

A2: Follow these best practices to protect your YouTube account:

Create a strong, unique password: Use a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols to make your password difficult to guess. Avoid using the same password across multiple accounts.
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): 2FA adds an extra layer of security by requiring a verification code sent to your phone or authentication app whenever you log in.
Be cautious of phishing attempts: Never click on suspicious links or enter your login credentials on unfamiliar websites. Verify the sender’s email address and look for signs of a phishing email, such as poor grammar or spelling.
Keep your devices and software up-to-date: Regularly update your device’s operating system, browser, and antivirus software to protect against malware and other security threats.
Regularly monitor your account: Check your YouTube account for any suspicious activity, such as unauthorized uploads or changes to your settings.

Q3: I think my YouTube account has been hacked. What should I do?

A3: Follow these step-by-step help solutions to regain control of your account:

Identify the problem: Look for signs that your account has been hacked, such as unrecognized videos, unauthorized changes, or inability to access your account.
Act quickly: Respond promptly to minimize damage and regain control of your account.
Secure your email account: Change your email password, enable 2FA, and review recovery options.
Contact YouTube Support: Visit the YouTube Help Center and navigate to the “Contact Us” page to request assistance in regaining access to your account.
Check account activity: Review your channel’s activity for any unauthorized actions taken during the hacking.
Change password and enable 2FA: Set a strong, unique password for your YouTube account and enable 2FA.
Notify your subscribers and community: Inform your audience about the hack and any suspicious activity they should be aware of.
Update account recovery options: Ensure that your recovery email address and phone number are up-to-date.
Educate yourself on security best practices: Stay informed about online security threats and how to protect your account.
Monitor your account regularly: Keep an eye on your YouTube account and its activity to detect any unusual changes.

Q4: How can I recognize phishing emails or messages?

A4: To recognize phishing emails or messages, look for these warning signs:

Suspicious sender address: Check the sender’s email address for any discrepancies or inconsistencies with the genuine organization’s domain.
Urgent or threatening tone: Phishing emails often create a sense of urgency or use scare tactics to pressure you into providing your personal information.
Grammar and spelling errors: Phishing messages may contain poor grammar or spelling mistakes, which are uncommon in genuine communications from reputable organizations.
Requests for personal information: Legitimate organizations will rarely ask for sensitive information, such as passwords, via email or messages.
Unusual links or attachments: Be cautious of any links or attachments in suspicious emails, as they may lead to phishing websites or contain malware.

Q5: What can I do to make my password more secure?

A5: To create a more secure password:

Make it lengthy: Aim for at least 12 characters, as longer passwords are more difficult to crack.
Use a mix of character types: Combine uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters to make your password more complex.
Avoid predictable patterns or common words: Refrain from using easily guessable information, such as your name, birthdate, or simple keyboard patterns.
Consider using a passphrase: Create a unique phrase or sentence that is easy for you to remember but difficult for others to guess.
Update your password regularly: Change your password every few months and avoid reusing old passwords.

Q6: How can I safely store and manage my passwords?

A6: To safely store and manage your passwords, consider using a password manager. Password managers are secure tools that generate, store, and autofill complex passwords for your online accounts. They encrypt your password database, allowing you to access your passwords with a single master password. Some reputable password managers include LastPass, Dashlane, and 1Password.

Q7: What should I do if I receive a suspicious email or message claiming to be from YouTube?

A7: If you receive a suspicious email or message claiming to be from YouTube:

Do not click on any links or download any attachments.
Do not reply or provide any personal information.
Report the phishing attempt to YouTube by forwarding the email to phishing@youtube.com.
Delete the email or message from your inbox.
Ensure that your account is secure by changing your password and enabling two-factor authentication if you haven’t already done so.

Q8: Can I recover deleted videos after my YouTube account has been hacked?

A8: If your videos were deleted during a hacking incident, you may be able to recover them by contacting YouTube Support. Explain the situation and provide any relevant details, such as the video URLs or titles. YouTube Support may be able to restore your deleted videos if they determine that the deletion was unauthorized. However, it’s essential to act quickly, as the chances of successful recovery may decrease over time.

Q9: How do I report a hacked YouTube account to YouTube if I am not the owner?

A9: If you suspect that a YouTube account you don’t own has been hacked, you can report it by following these steps:

Visit the channel’s YouTube page.
Click on the “About” tab.
Click on the flag icon located under the channel’s statistics.
Select “Report user” from the dropdown menu.
Choose “Hacked account” as the reason for reporting.
Provide any relevant information about the hack in the description box and click “Submit.”

Q10: Can enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) on my Google account also protect my YouTube account?

A10: Yes, enabling 2FA on your Google account also protects your YouTube account, as your YouTube account is linked to your Google account. Once you enable 2FA on your Google account, you will be required to provide a verification code in addition to your password whenever you log in. This added layer of security makes it more difficult for hackers to gain access to your account.

Q11: How can I further protect my YouTube account from hackers?

A11: In addition to the previously mentioned best practices, you can take the following steps to further protect your YouTube account:

Use a VPN: A virtual private network (VPN) encrypts your internet connection and hides your IP address, making it more difficult for hackers to intercept your data or target your account.
Be cautious with third-party apps: Only grant access to trusted third-party applications and periodically review the apps that have access to your YouTube account. Revoke access to any apps that are no longer needed or appear suspicious.
Educate your team: If you have multiple people managing your YouTube account, make sure they are aware of security best practices and the importance of safeguarding the account.
Regularly backup your content: Create backups of your video content to ensure that you can recover your work in case of a hacking incident or accidental deletion.

Q12: How can I monitor my YouTube account for suspicious activity?

A12: To monitor your YouTube account for suspicious activity:

Regularly review your video uploads, comments, and analytics for any unusual changes or patterns.
Check your channel’s settings, including privacy settings and connected accounts, for any unauthorized modifications.
Set up email notifications for important account activities, such as password changes or new device logins, to receive alerts if any suspicious actions occur.
Keep an eye on your email inbox for any unexpected communication from YouTube or Google, such as password reset requests or security alerts.

By actively monitoring your account, you can quickly detect and respond to any potential security threats.

Online security has never been such a big part of our collective awareness, and with more and more people finding a way to make their living through YouTube, the prospect of having your YouTube account hacked is more than just an inconvenience, it can be a threat to your livelihood.

Can YouTube Account Be Hacked? – Yes! Any social media can be hacked but its all depends on how far you are willing to go to secure your account.

With that in mind, it’s natural to wonder about how likely it is that your YouTube account could be hacked, and, fortunately, the answer is “not easily”. However, as with any matter of online security, the best protections in the world can be undermined by user error. In this post, we’re going to look at the potential ways your YouTube account could be hacked—as well as how likely they are—and cover how you can keep yourself safe.

How Can YouTube Account Be Hacked?

When talking about hacked accounts on platforms like YouTube, there are a few likely candidates for how it can happen; hacking YouTube, data breaches, and hacking you.

Hacking YouTube

Now, we’ll be honest, this is a very unlikely way for your account to get hacked. Getting hacked is very bad for business, and companies like Google are not interested in anything that is bad for business and have a lot of money to throw at the problem.

The chances of someone breaking into YouTube’s system and accessing your account that way is very low. That’s the good news. The bad news is that, should it actually happen, there would be nothing you could do to prevent it. You would just have to hope the damage isn’t too great and that YouTube can sort out the mess afterwards.

Data Breaches

Data breaches can occur because someone has hacked into a system as we talked about above, but they can also just be a disgruntled employee walking out of the office with a thumb drive full of data. The data will usually be a list of names and passwords that will then go on to be sold on the dark web. Nefarious parties then purchase these usernames and passwords and try them on several platforms to see what works. Incidentally, this is also why it is important not to use the same username and password on different platforms.

The good news here is that an increasing number of services monitor for these kinds of leaks, and can notify you if your username and password emerge on one of them. The other good news is that avoiding this problem is as simple as regularly changing your password, and services that suffer data breaches will usually force you to reset your password.

Social Engineering

Social engineering is probably the most common type of “hacking” today, and it doesn’t involve typing reams of code in a dark, seedy room, or sneaking into a server room at some high-power corporation. The reality is far more mundane.

Social engineering can come in many forms. For example, someone could literally just strike up a conversation with you in the street and find out enough information to get access to your accounts. All those backup security questions such as our mother’s maiden name are a liability if someone really wants to get at you since they can be easily found out. Have you ever shared one of those “Your Drag Queen Name is Your Grandmother’s First Name and Your First Car” posts? Putting information like that out publicly makes it very easy for any malicious parties to get the information they need. And with AI constantly making life easier for them, they needn’t be looking at you directly to find this information anymore.

Phishing is also a form of social engineering, with the most common form of it is sending a spoof email pretending to be a service or bank, asking the user to log in to their account to deal with some urgent matter. The login page is fake, however, and the malicious parties behind it log the username and password you enter for using themselves. Other versions of this tactic include intercepting traffic going to a legitimate site and redirecting it, and hijacking unattended browser tabs and rewriting them with malicious code.

Protecting yourself in these instances is a matter of general good practice when using the Internet—don’t download files from untrusted sources, don’t click on links from suspicious emails, and never give your username and password out.

Protecting Yourself

For the most part, keeping your YouTube account safe is a matter of common sense. Don’t use a password that you use for other accounts, and try to change that password occasionally. Certainly never give your password to anyone else. Always enabled 2-factor authentication on your Google account, preferably using your phone as the second factor, as this will mean any malicious party looking to break into your account would also need to have access to your phone.

Final Thoughts

While we would be lying if we said that you have the power to prevent absolutely every possibility of your YouTube account being hacked, the vast majority of ways in which it could happen can be prevented by relatively simple steps taken by you, and most of those steps are straightforward and should be considered common practice for anyone using the web.

It is also worth remembering that many of the “up close and personal” methods of gathering information about you are labour-intensive. A spammer could send out a million phishing emails with the click of a button, but someone feigning a romantic interest in you to get information has to put the work in. Another way of looking at this is phishing emails, data breaches, and hacks are not personal, but somebody who gets to know you to find out your place of birth and the name of your first pet so they can gain access to your account is going after you specifically.

And, regardless of external attacks, it’s always a good idea to keep your own backups of your videos. Especially if you have an established channel with hours and hours of content.

Top 5 Tools To Get You Started on YouTube

Very quickly before you go here are 5 amazing tools I have used every day to grow my YouTube channel from 0 to 30K subscribers in the last 12 months that I could not live without.

1. VidIQ helps boost my views and get found in search

I almost exclusively switched to VidIQ from a rival in 2020.

Within 12 months I tripled the size of my channel and very quickly learnt the power of thumbnails, click through rate and proper search optimization. Best of all, they are FREE!

2. Adobe Creative Suite helps me craft amazing looking thumbnails and eye-catching videos

I have been making youtube videos on and off since 2013.

When I first started I threw things together in Window Movie Maker, cringed at how it looked but thought “that’s the best I can do so it’ll have to do”.

Big mistake!

I soon realized the move time you put into your editing and the more engaging your thumbnails are the more views you will get and the more people will trust you enough to subscribe.

That is why I took the plunge and invested in my editing and design process with Adobe Creative Suite. They offer a WIDE range of tools to help make amazing videos, simple to use tools for overlays, graphics, one click tools to fix your audio and the very powerful Photoshop graphics program to make eye-catching thumbnails.

Best of all you can get a free trial for 30 days on their website, a discount if you are a student and if you are a regular human being it starts from as little as £9 per month if you want to commit to a plan.

3. Rev.com helps people read my videos

You can’t always listen to a video.

Maybe you’re on a bus, a train or sat in a living room with a 5 year old singing baby shark on loop… for HOURS. Or, you are trying to make as little noise as possible while your new born is FINALLY sleeping.

This is where Rev can help you or your audience consume your content on the go, in silence or in a language not native to the video.

Rev.com can help you translate your videos, transcribe your videos, add subtitles and even convert those subtitles into other languages – all from just $1.50 per minute.

A GREAT way to find an audience and keep them hooked no matter where they are watching your content.

4. PlaceIT can help you STAND OUT on YouTube

I SUCK at making anything flashy or arty.

I have every intention in the world to make something that looks cool but im about as artistic as a dropped ice-cream cone on the web windy day.

That is why I could not live on YouTube without someone like PlaceIT. They offer custom YouTube Banners, Avatars, YouTube Video Intros and YouTube End Screen Templates that are easy to edit with simple click, upload wizard to help you make amazing professional graphics in minutes.

Best of all, some of their templates are FREE! or you can pay a small fee if you want to go for their slightly more premium designs (pst – I always used the free ones).

5. StoryBlocks helps me add amazing video b-roll cutaways

I mainly make tutorials and talking head videos.

And in this modern world this can be a little boring if you don’t see something funky every once in a while.

I try with overlays, jump cuts and being funny but my secret weapon is b-roll overlay content.

I can talk about skydiving, food, money, kids, cats – ANYTHING I WANT – with a quick search on the StoryBlocks website I can find a great looking clip to overlay on my videos, keeping them entertained and watching for longer.

They have a wide library of videos, graphics, images and even a video maker tool and it wont break the bank with plans starting from as little as £8.25 ($9) per month.