Passwords and Accounts

Passwords, access keys, authentication and recovery of digital accounts.

10articles

Pessoa segura um celular com a lista de dispositivos da Conta Google aberta, diante de um notebook que mostra a mesma área de segurança.

Passwords and Accounts24/09/20267 min read

Unknown device on your Google Account: how to review sessions and end access

Learn how to review Google Account devices and sessions, interpret times and locations, sign out unknown access, and strengthen security without confusing sign-out with wiping a de...

Read article

Pessoa segurando celular com mensagem de código de verificação do WhatsApp, enquanto uma silhueta encapuzada e um alerta vermelho aparecem ao fundo.

Passwords and Accounts14/09/20266 min read

I got a WhatsApp verification code I didn’t request: what it means and what to do now

An unsolicited code means someone tried to register your number on WhatsApp. Learn what to do, how to secure the account, and how to recover access.

Read article

Smartphone Android sobre uma mesa, com ícones de duas chaves e uma seta de transferência entre dois gerenciadores de credenciais.

Passwords and Accounts13/09/20267 min read

Android can transfer passkeys between password managers: how to migrate without exporting passwords

Android can now move passwords and passkeys directly between compatible password managers. Learn the secure flow, compatibility limits, and what to verify before leaving the old ap...

Read article

Pessoa segura um celular com a tela de dispositivos conectados do WhatsApp e toca em desconectar, com notebook e cadeado ao fundo.

Passwords and Accounts08/09/20265 min read

Unknown device on WhatsApp: how to review sessions and tell if your account was compromised

Learn how to review linked devices, log out unfamiliar sessions, and tell when an old device may actually signal unauthorized access to your account.

Read article

Mãos segurando um smartphone com a tela de verificação em duas etapas do gov.br e um código numérico, com notebook aberto ao fundo.

Passwords and Accounts05/09/20267 min read

gov.br two-step verification: where the code appears, why it is not sent by SMS, and how to recover access

The gov.br 2FA code is generated in the official app, not sent by SMS. Learn how to enable it, sign in, authorize devices, and recover access after changing phones.

Read article

Celular com símbolo do WhatsApp ao lado de escudo, cadeado, campo de senha, indicação de PIN e ícone de impressão digital.

Passwords and Accounts02/09/20267 min read

WhatsApp upgrades two-step verification from PIN to password: how passkeys differ

Meta strengthened WhatsApp two-step verification with alphanumeric passwords. Learn how the old PIN, the new password, and passkeys differ and how to update security without weaken...

Read article

Ilustração de recuperação de autenticação com celular quebrado, códigos temporários, backup em nuvem, código de recuperação e caminhos para restaurar acessos.

Passwords and Accounts22/08/20269 min read

I lost my cell phone with Authenticator: when do the codes come back and when do I need to recover each account

Losing your cell phone doesn't always mean losing your codes. See when Google and Microsoft Authenticator restore data and when you need to recover each account.

Read article

Mão segurando smartphone com tela do WhatsApp exibindo um código de registro de seis dígitos, diante de notebook aberto no WhatsApp Web.

Passwords and Accounts15/08/20266 min read

I received a WhatsApp code without asking: was my account hacked?

An unexpected code does not prove intrusion. See how to differentiate between registration attempts, lost access and two-step verification, and what to do in each case.

Read article

Ilustração editorial de um computador com uma chave digital protegida e um alerta de malware, sem logos ou texto.

Passwords and Accounts09/08/20266 min read

Passkeys have been cracked? What Unit 42's Google Research Really Showed

Research from Unit 42 showed three attacks against synchronized Google passkeys on PCs already compromised by malware, not a breach of passkey encryption.

Read article

Smartphone genérico ao lado de um símbolo de chave digital, representando o uso de passkey para acessar uma conta com segurança.

Passwords and Accounts09/08/20268 min read

Access key (passkey): is it worth activating and what happens if you lose your cell phone

Passkeys reduce the risk of phishing and can replace passwords, but recovery depends on where the key is saved and the account's backup methods.

Read article