Finance YouTuber "financewithsharan" Hacked; Account Security Lessons for Content Creators

Sharan Hegde, entrepreneur and creator of the popular YouTube channel "financewithsharan," recently reported a security breach of his YouTube account via his Instagram.

According to Hegde's post, hackers gained control and began live-streaming Bitcoin price feeds, falsely indicating the price had reached $100,000 (approximately Rs 69,448,00). Hegde also stated that, during the incident, all content on his YouTube channel was deleted but later recovered.

Hegde's post detailed the event: "The hacker took control of the account & started a live stream of Bitcoin prices reaching $100k - without my consent, of course. Within minutes, I got 100s of DMs from you guys informing me about the fact. Thank you so much for alerting me but unfortunately the channel got terminated & I didn't know what to do. My 3 years of hard work just disappeared right in front of my eyes.”

Essential Tips for Securing Your YouTube Account

Following this incident, it's crucial to review best practices for safeguarding your online accounts. YouTube's official support page offers several key recommendations:

• Create a Strong, Unique Password: This is the foundation of online security. Use a combination of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using easily guessable information like birthdays or pet names.
• Avoid Sharing Login Credentials: Never share your password or other account information with anyone.
• Regular Google Security Checkup: Utilize Google's built-in Security Checkup feature to scan your account for potential vulnerabilities, weak passwords, and unusual activity. Take immediate action on any identified issues.
• Enable Two-Step Verification (2SV): This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a code from your phone or another device in addition to your password when you log in. Even if someone knows your password, they won't be able to access your account without this second factor.
• Remove Suspicious People from Your Account
• Remove Unnecessary Sites and Apps: Review which apps and websites have access to your Google account and revoke permissions for any that you no longer use or trust.
• Keep Your Software Updated: Ensure your operating system, browser, and all software are up to date with the latest security patches.
• Back-Up Your Account
• Be Wary of Suspicious Messages and Content: Be cautious of phishing attempts and avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources.
• Manage Access Requests Properly: If you have multiple users managing your YouTube channel, assign appropriate access permissions based on their roles and responsibilities. Only grant the necessary level of access to trusted individuals.