Question:

I have a concern about the security of my Google account. I noticed that a device identified as an android tablet accessed my account recently, but I do not own any tablet devices. I only use a chromebook, which normally appears as chrome(os) or google jacuzzi on my account activity. Could it be that my chromebook is misidentified as a tablet due to mac randomization? How can I verify the identity and location of the device that logged into my account? Thank you for your assistance.

Answer:

>
> If you use a Google account to access various online services, such as Gmail, Google Drive, Google Photos, etc., you may want to keep an eye on the devices that are logged into your account. Google provides a feature called Device activity & security events that allows you to see the recent devices that have accessed your account, as well as any security alerts that may indicate suspicious activity. >
> However, sometimes you may notice a device that you do not recognize or own, such as an android tablet, appearing on your device activity list. This can be alarming, as it may suggest that someone else has gained access to your account. In this article, we will explain some possible reasons why this may happen, and what you can do to verify and secure your account. >
>

Why does an android tablet show up on my device activity list when I only use a chromebook?

>
> One possible reason why an android tablet may show up on your device activity list is that your chromebook is misidentified as a tablet due to mac randomization. Mac randomization is a feature that changes the media access control (MAC) address of your device’s network interface periodically, to prevent tracking and enhance privacy. A MAC address is a unique identifier that is assigned to each device that connects to a network. >
> However, mac randomization may also cause some issues with device identification, as some online services may use the MAC address to determine the type of device that is accessing them. For example, Google may use the MAC address to identify whether the device is a chromebook, an android tablet, a Windows laptop, etc. If the MAC address changes frequently, Google may not be able to recognize the device correctly, and may assign a different device type to it. >
> Therefore, if you have enabled mac randomization on your chromebook, it is possible that Google may sometimes mistake it for an android tablet, and show it on your device activity list. This does not necessarily mean that your account is compromised, but it is still a good idea to verify the device and its location, as explained in the next section. >
>

How can I verify the identity and location of the device that logged into my account?

>
> To verify the identity and location of the device that logged into your account, you can follow these steps: >
> 1. Go to [https://myaccount.google.com/device-activity](https://myaccount.google.com/device-activity) and sign in with your Google account. > 2. You will see a list of devices that have accessed your account in the last 28 days. Click on the device that you want to verify, such as the android tablet. > 3. You will see more details about the device, such as the model, the browser, the last time it was active, and the approximate location. You can also see the IP address of the device, which is another unique identifier that can help you trace the device. > 4. Compare the details of the device with your chromebook, and see if they match. For example, if the device model is the same as your chromebook, or if the browser is Chrome, or if the location is the same as where you used your chromebook, then it is likely that the device is your chromebook, and not an android tablet. > 5. If you are still unsure, you can try to sign out the device from your account, by clicking on the Sign out button at the bottom of the device details. This will remove the device from your account, and require it to sign in again. Then, you can try to sign in with your chromebook, and see if the device shows up again on your device activity list. If it does, then it confirms that the device is your chromebook, and not an android tablet. >
>

How can I secure my account from unauthorized devices?

>
> If you verify that the device that logged into your account is not your chromebook, and is indeed an android tablet that you do not own, then you should take immediate action to secure your account from unauthorized devices. Here are some steps that you can take: >
> 1. Change your Google account password, and make sure it is strong and unique. You can use a password manager to generate and store your passwords securely. > 2. Enable two-step verification on your Google account, which adds an extra layer of security by requiring a code or a prompt on your phone whenever you sign in from a new device. > 3. Review your account activity and security events, and remove any devices, apps, or services that you do not recognize or trust. You can also check your Gmail inbox and trash for any suspicious emails, such as password reset requests, phishing attempts, or spam messages. > 4. Report the device that accessed your account as stolen or lost, by clicking on the Report as lost or stolen button at the bottom of the device details. This will prevent the device from accessing your account, and alert Google to investigate the device. >
> By following these steps, you can protect your Google account from unauthorized devices, and ensure that your online data and privacy are safe. If you have any questions or concerns, you can contact Google’s support team for further assistance. >
>

References

>
> : [https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/3067630?hl=en](https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/3067630?hl=en) >
> : [https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/10474265?hl=en](https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/10474265?hl=en) >
> : [https://www.howtogeek.com/192173/what-is-a-mac-address-and-why-might-i-need-to-find-it/](https://www.howtogeek.com/192173/what-is-a-mac-address-and-why-might-i-need-to-find-it/) >
> : [https://www.androidpolice.com/2020/06/18/android-10s-mac-randomization-is-causing-some-chromebooks-to-misidentify-phones-and-tablets/](https://www.androidpolice.com/2020/06/18/android-10s-mac-randomization-is-causing-some-chromebooks-to-misidentify-phones-and-tablets/) >
> : [https://www.whatismyip.com/what-is-an-ip-address/](https://www.whatismyip.com/what-is-an-ip-address/) >
> : [https://www.wired.com/story/best-password-managers/](https://www.wired.com/story/best-password-managers/) >
> : [https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/185839?hl=en](https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/185839?hl=en) >
> : [https://support.google.com/mail/answer/8253?hl=en](https://support.google.com/mail/answer/8253?hl=en) >
> : [https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/6294825?hl=en](https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/6294825?hl=en) >
> : [https://support.google.com/?hl=en](https://support.google.com/?hl=en)