August Unauthorized Access: How to Secure Your Account

Securing Your August Account After an Unauthorized Access Alert

Receiving a notification about potential unauthorized access to your August Smart Lock account can be extremely unnerving. The security of your home is paramount, and you need to act quickly and decisively. This guide will provide you with the immediate steps to take to secure your account and investigate the alert.

Most of the time, these alerts are triggered by legitimate but unrecognised logins (for example, when you use a new phone or web browser). However, you should always treat every security alert as a potential threat and take immediate action.

Step 1: Immediately Secure Your Account

Your first priority is to lock down your account to prevent any further unauthorized activity.

1. Change Your Password:

   • Open the August app immediately.
   • Go to the main menu and find your account settings or profile.
   • Select the option to change your password.
   • Create a new, strong, and unique password. Do not reuse a password you use for any other online service. A good password should be long and include a mix of upper and lower-case letters, numbers, and symbols.

2. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA):

   • This is the single most effective step you can take to secure your account.
   • In the August app's security settings, find and enable Two-Factor Authentication.
   • This will require you to enter a one-time code sent to your phone via SMS, in addition to your password, whenever you log in from a new device. This means that even if someone steals your password, they will not be able to access your account without physical access to your phone.

Step 2: Investigate the Activity

Once you have secured your account, it is time to find out what happened. The August app keeps a detailed record of all activity.

• Review the Activity Log:

  • In the app, open the Activity Log for your lock.
  • This log shows a timestamped list of every event, including when the door was locked or unlocked, either manually or electronically.
  • Crucially, it will show who performed the action. Look for any entries that you do not recognise. Pay close attention to any "Remote Lock" or "Remote Unlock" events.

• Review the Guest List:

  • Go to the 'Guest List' in your app.
  • Check for any users you did not invite. If you see an unrecognised person on the list, it is a clear sign your account was compromised.
  • Immediately revoke access for any unrecognised guests. You should also temporarily revoke access for any legitimate guests until you are certain the situation is resolved.

• Review Login History:

  • Check your email for any recent login notifications from August. These emails often contain information about the type of device and the location of the login, which can help you determine if it was a legitimate login that you simply did not recognise.

Step 3: Further Security Best Practices

To maintain the long-term security of your smart lock, adopt these habits:

• Be Wary of Phishing: Never click on suspicious links in emails or text messages claiming to be from August. Always log in directly through the app or the official website. Scammers may try to trick you into revealing your password.
• Secure Your Phone: Your phone is a key to your home. Ensure it is protected with a strong passcode, fingerprint, or face ID.
• Log Out of Unused Devices: If you have logged into your August account on a friend's phone or a public computer, make sure you log out afterwards.
• Regularly Review Activity: Make a habit of occasionally checking your Activity Log and Guest List, even when you have not received an alert.

By taking these immediate and preventative measures, you can ensure that your August Smart Lock remains a secure and reliable part of your home. If you find any definitive evidence of a breach that you cannot explain, you should contact August's official support for further assistance.