Gmail is one of the most important Google tools and leading email service provider. Currently, over a billion people use Gmail. That’s a massive number.
Google is working hard to make sure user’s Gmail account is safe. From time to time, Google has introduced various features and updates to secure Gmail.
“We work hard to protect Google and our users from unauthorized access to or unauthorized alteration, disclosure or destruction of information we hold,” says Google’s privacy policy.
Google often informs it’s users if there is any kind of malfunction or hacking attempt on their Gmail account. The company has also stated various measures that you can take to secure your Gmail account.
So what does google say about securing your gmail account?
Strong Passwords
Google asks it’s users to form strong and unique passwords for their Gmail account. Now, what is a strong password?
- It should be a mixture of numbers, alphabets, and special characters.
- Mix uppercase and lowercase letters.
- Don’t use obvious terms in your Gmail password like your name, phone number etc.
- Change your password frequently (at least once a month).
- Don’t share your password with anyone.
Verify the account
Having a strong password is necessary to secure your account but at the same time, you also have to verify your account with the 2-step authentication process.
In this process, once you log in to your account, Google sends you a code on your mobile phone. You have to submit the code and verify your mobile number.
This will come in handy when you forgot your password but have access to your mobile number.
Keep a track of your device’s activity
Once you verify your phone number with Google, it notifies you every time whenever there is a login or someone tried to login to your account.
If you find some suspicious activity on your account, you can inform google immediately and can reset your account.
Also, Google gives you an option where you can check your account’s activity of last 28 days. Here, you can also get to know the devices that have been used to access your account. Along with the device, you can also see time, date and location of the time when there was a login attempt to your account.
Secure with ‘HTTPS’ feature
‘HTTPS’ is a security option that makes sure that the user’s personal information is not shared with web providers.
Being universal service providers, Google allows everyone to use their service from any device.
Here, however, there is a risk of privacy and personal data.
To make sure that all the data between your browser and Gmail is secured, just enable ‘HTTPS’ feature.
To do this, go to ‘settings’ and choose ‘general’. Click on the browser connection option and ‘checkmark’ next to ‘Always use HTTPS’.
Update your web browser
By updating your web browser regularly, you make sure that you are protected online. Outdated browsers are vulnerable to threats and viruses.
To keep your self-protected from this spyware, update your account whenever possible.
Most of the times, new updates are introduced to make security even more secure.
This is why updating your web browser is very critical in order to secure your Gmail account. There are a number of ways to recover a GMail password and as a user, we need to be cautious against them.