Like any online service, your accounts on popular AI platforms such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity can be targeted and compromised by hackers. TechCrunch has created a comprehensive guide to help you protect yourself if you suspect unauthorized access to your accounts on the internet’s most popular platforms, social networks, or messaging apps. Now, we focus on AI platforms specifically.
General Security Best Practices
As always, we recommend using unique passwords stored in a password manager, and enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA) whenever possible. MFA ensures that even if someone steals your password, they cannot log in without that second verification factor.
ChatGPT and Perplexity offer MFA. Claude does not; instead, Anthropic’s AI chatbot sends a login link to your email address, eliminating the need for a password.
All three platforms provide similar methods to check for suspicious devices logged into your account. Here’s how to do it on each.
ChatGPT
To check if someone has accessed your ChatGPT account, open it in your browser, click your username in the bottom-left corner, go to “Settings,” then “Security and Login,” and finally click on “Active Sessions.”
You will see a list of devices currently logged into your account. If you spot any device you don’t recognize, you can log out of that single session. You can also click “Log out all” to terminate all sessions.
If you need to change your password, you must first log out of your account. Then, on ChatGPT’s website, click “Log in” in the bottom-left corner, enter your email address, click “Forgot password,” and then “Continue.” ChatGPT will email you a six-digit code. Enter that code on the login page, click “Continue,” and then set a new password.
Claude
Claude’s security model relies on email-based login links rather than passwords, so unauthorized access typically requires access to your email inbox. To check for suspicious activity, go to your account settings and review any active sessions or login history. If you see an unfamiliar device or location, you can revoke that session. For added security, ensure your email account is protected with strong MFA to prevent unauthorized access to your Claude login links.
Perplexity
Perplexity offers MFA and allows you to review active sessions. Log in to your Perplexity account, navigate to “Settings” or “Account Security,” and look for an option like “Active Sessions” or “Device Management.” There, you can see all devices currently logged in. If you identify an unknown device, you can log it out individually. To change your password, go to the security settings and follow the instructions to reset it, which may require verification via email or MFA.
Additional Steps If You Suspect a Breach
If you believe your account has been compromised, act quickly:
- Change Your Password immediately, even if you’ve already logged out all sessions.
- Enable MFA on all platforms that support it (ChatGPT and Perplexity) to add an extra layer of security.
- Review Your Email – Since Claude relies on email links, check for any unexpected password reset emails or login notifications.
- Monitor for Unusual Activity – Look for unexpected messages, changes to your account settings, or usage patterns that don’t match your own.
- Contact Support – If you can’t regain access, reach out to the platform’s support team for assistance.
Why This Matters in 2026
As AI platforms become more integral to both personal and professional life, they hold sensitive data—conversations, documents, and even personal preferences. In 2026, hackers are increasingly targeting these accounts for data theft, financial fraud, and even social engineering attacks. Staying vigilant and following these security practices is more critical than ever.
Stay safe, and remember: proactive security is your best defense.
via TechCrunch