Many users face a problem in accessing their electronic accounts due to “forgot password”.
Fortunately, most email services provide specialized tools to help users recover their accounts in these cases. What are the steps followed?
The process begins by going to the “Forgot Password” page for the service, whether it is “gmail” or “outlook”, then entering the email address you want to recover.
After that, the system requests proof of the user’s identity through one of the security methods linked to the account.
Common verification methods include sending a verification code to the registered phone number, or sending a message to an alternate email address, in addition to pre-set security questions.
If none of these means are available, some services allow the submission of a special account recovery form, where the user is asked to provide additional information such as the date the account was created or the last passwords he remembers. This information helps security systems confirm the owner’s identity.
Digital security experts advise saving passwords in a reliable “password manager” program, and linking the account to a backup phone number and email, to facilitate the recovery process in the future and avoid losing important data.
Other things to know:
To successfully recover your password, you should consider the following tips:
- Use a device or network previously used for the account:
Companies such as Google recommend using the same phone or computer that was previously used to log in, because security systems recognize the device and the location of the connection, which increases the chances of success.
- Try old passwords:
The system may ask you to enter old passwords you remember as part of the verification process, because this helps the algorithms confirm that you are the real owner of the account.
- Enter as much correct information as possible:
When filling out an account recovery form in services like Gmail or Outlook, it’s best to provide accurate information such as:
- Approximate date the account was created
- Names of contacts you correspond with frequently
- Email addresses you recently sent to
- Check old messages:
If the email is linked to other accounts (such as social networks or websites), search those services for old verification emails, as they may contain useful information for recovery.
- Activate security features after recovery:
After restoring the account, it is recommended to immediately:
- change password
- Enable “Two-Factor Authentication”
- Add a backup phone number and email
