We already discussed on how Orkut accounts are hacked from smart Orkut hackers by manipulating the victim (The account which is being hacked) in giving out his own password and account information using false technique such as Fake login page.So here are some of the tips for Orkut users to prevent from getting their own Orkut profile hacked!
Everyone should read this no matter how safe you think you are! As Google Account is a single account used across all Googles services like Gmail,orkut, Blogger, Adsense, Checkout. etc, it can turn out to be our worst nightmare if it gets hacked! Like many other online services Google tries to protect your account with secret question as well as optional secondary email address. But there is one more official option which only Google Provides! Now lets go step-by-step?
I know this will not work in most cases, as options like forget password rely on secondary email address and security question, both of which can be easily changed once a account gets hacked. Still you should try atleast once as most password gets hacked by script kiddies and not by real hackers. So go to Forget Password form first!
You can submit a form to Google in which you can provide details about your Google Account usage. Details include information which most likely only real owner can provide. Here are few things for example?
* Last successful login date
* Account creation date
* Google products you used with this account and the date you started using each one
* Details about orkut account (if you use orkut)
* Details about Blogger account (if you use Blogger)
Now most important part is what they quoted on the form,
"Please answer each question as thoroughly and accurately as possible. If you?re not certain about some of the information, provide your closest estimate. Whether or not we can return your account depends on the strength and accuracy of your responses."
So I will suggest following things?
* Your goal should be to give Google maximum & accurate data! So take your time and submit form with maximum amount of information possible. You can consult your trusted friends if you are not sure. As an example it could be Vicky or Pankaj who invited you on orkut. If you are not sure call them up and ask it!
* Submit only one form! Yes this should be common sense. Do not submit multiple forms. A person who uses around 10-15 Google products asked me if he can submit multiple forms mentioning different Google products.
* Submit form from the place which you use most often to access your account like PC at home! Although they haven?t mentioned this explicitly, line above submit button says, "Please note that we need your IP address in order to resolve this issue. Your IP address will be captured automatically when you submit this form."
Finally Contact Form is here!
http://www.google.com/support/accounts/
I advise everyone to have a look at this form and information it asks. You can prepare a document about secret info, may be in cell phone or pen down it on a paper. This will come handy if something goes wrong in future!
I guess I have offered my best possible help on the issue. It may or may not work but Thats all I can do.
Orkutting in Public Computer
Make sure you do not check the button “Remember Me” when you log in to your Orkut account from a publicly accessible Internet (Cyber Cafe).Someone might peep when you are typing the password,in such case strong password with numbers and capitalization are recommended.Anti Keylogger
If you are visiting a local browsing center then try to check the programs installed in the computer.If you find keylogger (which stores password) then remove it immediately (Complain about this to the person who manages the browsing center).You can also install a Anti Keylogger to protect and safely log in to your Orkut account.Another solution for this is to make use of On Screen keyboard which is installed on every Windows Operation System.Never use Javascript code
If a friend scraps you to copy the javascript code and paste it in your browser address bar then re check the Javascript to understand the code.If you are familiar with the code then make a search or better ignore such javascript scraps,no matter what they do! They are a time waster..Re-Check Links via Scraps
Some people will blindly click on the website links sent by anonymous orkut user to the scrapbook.Re check the links once again and make sure you do not enter your password to any fake login page or give out any of the Orkut details if you are visiting a website or any link via orkut scrapbook.Strong Google Gmail password
If you are having a password which is easy to remember then change is as soon as possible.Because hackers can make use of programs such as “Brute Force” to easily detect your password (If the password is short and is a dictionary word).Make use of Password generators and take a note of your password.Also make sure you have a good security question & answer which none of your friend can easily guess.Check the address bar
Everytime you visit someone’s profile via links or any orkut community then check the address bar to ensure that you are on Orkut.com website.If you detect any different url then do not panic, immediately change your orkut password!Stay away from Orkut Strangers
If someone requests for friendship then checkout his/her profile, check scraps, orkut communities and mutual friends joined by the person.So that you get a clear idea if the person is genuine or a orkut hacker who want to abuse your profile.Maintain Orkut Privacy Profile
Keep your profile private if you are too much concerned about your privacy.Generally this will help you a great deal if you are orkutting to connect with Well-Known friends as it eliminates anonymous scraping and friendship with strangers!Remember to Logout
Make sure you do NOT forgot to Log out from the Orkut website if you are accessing Internet from a public area.Once again double check Orkut,Gmail and Google services.HOW TO GET BACK YOUR ORKUT/GMAIL HACKED ACCOUNT
#1.Trying "Forget Password" Option:
I know this will not work in most cases, as options like forget password rely on secondary email address and security question, both of which can be easily changed once a account gets hacked. Still you should try atleast once as most password gets hacked by script kiddies and not by real hackers. So go to Forget Password form first!
#2. What if "Forget Password" Option Fails
You can submit a form to Google in which you can provide details about your Google Account usage. Details include information which most likely only real owner can provide. Here are few things for example?
* Last successful login date
* Account creation date
* Google products you used with this account and the date you started using each one
* Details about orkut account (if you use orkut)
* Details about Blogger account (if you use Blogger)
Now most important part is what they quoted on the form,
"Please answer each question as thoroughly and accurately as possible. If you?re not certain about some of the information, provide your closest estimate. Whether or not we can return your account depends on the strength and accuracy of your responses."
So I will suggest following things?
* Your goal should be to give Google maximum & accurate data! So take your time and submit form with maximum amount of information possible. You can consult your trusted friends if you are not sure. As an example it could be Vicky or Pankaj who invited you on orkut. If you are not sure call them up and ask it!
* Submit only one form! Yes this should be common sense. Do not submit multiple forms. A person who uses around 10-15 Google products asked me if he can submit multiple forms mentioning different Google products.
* Submit form from the place which you use most often to access your account like PC at home! Although they haven?t mentioned this explicitly, line above submit button says, "Please note that we need your IP address in order to resolve this issue. Your IP address will be captured automatically when you submit this form."
Finally Contact Form is here!
http://www.google.com/support/accounts/
I advise everyone to have a look at this form and information it asks. You can prepare a document about secret info, may be in cell phone or pen down it on a paper. This will come handy if something goes wrong in future!
I guess I have offered my best possible help on the issue. It may or may not work but Thats all I can do.
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