A precompact group topology τ on an abelian group G is called single sequence characterized (for short, ss-characterized) if there is a sequence u = (un) in G such that τ is the finest precompact group topology on G making u = (un) converge to zero. It is proved that a metrizable precompact abelian group (G, τ ) is ss-characterized iff it is countable. For every metrizable precompact group topology τ on a countably infinite abelian group G there exists a group topology η such that η is strictly finer than τ and the groups (G, τ ) and (G, η) have the equal Pontryagin dual groups. We give a complete description of all ss-characterized precompact abelian groups modulo countable ss-characterized groups from which we derive:(1) No infinite pseudocompact abelian group is ss-characterized.(2) An ss-characterized precompact abelian group is hereditarily disconnected.