My Google search history is not mine: Here’s why this happens
Google is by far the most used search engine. However, it is not problem-free when it comes to security and privacy.
One such example is described by many users who saw unknown searches in their Google history.
One user opened a thread on Reddit and reported the following:
I’m the only one with access to my phone and PC and my Google account isn’t on any other devices. I changed my password and the problem is still occuring. Also, it doesn’t appear in my browsing history – just the search history. Generally my searches will have a location saved to them but all the searches in the image below are not mine.
What we know from here is that the OP is the only one with access to his phone, PC, and Google account. Therefore, is not possible that another person made those searches from the user’s devices.
So, other aspects are involved and today we will show what to do if your Google search history is not yours.
My search history in Google is not mine. What should I do?
1. Sign out from other devices
It is possible that you forgot to log out from a device that’s not yours. So, now another person is using that device with your account logged on.
You can solve that quite easily:
- Go to Gmail.
- Click Details from the bottom right corner of the window.
- Click on Sign out all other web sessions.
2. Disable extensions
The OP added that, for an unknown reason, a VPN extension caused this issue. So, by disabling it, the Google search history went back to normal.
- Click on the vertical dots from the upper-right corner of Google Chrome.
- Go to More tools.
- Select Extensions.
- Disable the extensions, especially those who look more untrustworthy. Also, use the process of elimination to find out which one causes the problem.
For other browsers, the steps may vary, but the solution remains the same: disable the problematic extensions.
3. Switch to a different browser
Another option is to try a browser that has better security. While your antivirus should be able to detect any malicious online activity, you should also make sure that your browser is up-to-date and stable.
We recommend you use a software with minimal CPU usage that will allow you to browse with no interruptions on any device. Additionally, make sure to pick a browser with a solid privacy policy and an easy-to-use UI, such as Opera.
4. Use a browser security tool
This issue can arise when your browser stores advertisements or pop-ups in your search history. But it can also be caused by more serious problems such as a data breach that compromised your account.
This can happen due to phishing or malware and we recommend you immediately change your passwords. If your Google account is linked to your bank, medical information, or other sensitive data, it’s very important to check and secure these as well.
Don’t log back into your account until you are sure your browser is secure and virus free. To make sure there’s no malicious script or security risk within your browser, we recommend you use a dedicated utility such as Guard.io.
It’s a lightweight browser extension that uses cloud-based technologies to detect and block day-one online threats. It’s easy to use, you just have to install it from their official website or your browser’s extension library. Enable it in one click and you are done.
This type of tool can be a useful addition and may act quicker than some antiviruses. It blocks harmful sites, monitors email accounts for data breaches, and more.
Conclusion
To find unknown searches in your Google history is definitely not a pleasant surprise. Still, in many cases, things are not as serious as they seem. You can solve this problem with one of the solutions described above.
Did you find our solutions helpful? Write to us in the comments section below.
