Google is probably one of your most important online accounts. Malicious people know that too. Fortunately, Google offers many possibilities to keep nefarious figures at bay, but then you have to make use of them. Protect your Google account optimally with these tips.
With a Google account you have access to the various services of Google. From emailing via Gmail and storing files in Google Drive to your photo library in Google Photos and watching videos via YouTube. But you also use your Google account for your Android smartphone or tablet, your Chromebook and the link with your smart Google Nest speaker.
And then there are the business services, such as Google Adsense and Analytics. Chances are a Google account belongs to your important digital accounts, so you want to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands. We therefore explain to you how to secure your Google account down to the last detail.
One hundred percent online security does not exist, but if you follow these advice, you make it as difficult as possible for malicious parties. You can follow the security tips below via this special Google website: https://myaccount.google.com/security. Sign in with your Google account. If you have multiple Google accounts, you’ll need to secure them separately.
Create and verify strong passwords
A well-secured account starts with a strong and unique password. You can come up with one yourself or have it done by a password manager. If you can use tips with this, we would like to refer you to these course secure password use.
You can also store passwords in Google’s own password vault. It is linked to your account, and is integrated into the Chrome browser via https://passwords.google.com. Saved passwords are auto-populated in websites and supported apps.
It is also nice that Google synchronizes your passwords on all your devices. If you change a (weak) password on your computer, your smartphone will automatically fill in the new password next time.
You may receive a signal from Google that passwords have been leaked in the past. click on Go to Password check, then on Check passwords and enter your Google account password. You now see which password has become known and go to the website via the Change password button to change your password.
Needless to say, this feature only works if you’ve saved your passwords in Google’s password vault. If so, Google will also inform you about the security level of your passwords. For example, whether you reuse passwords, so use the same password for different websites.
Google also warns you via an internal technical analysis if you use weak passwords. The option Create strong passwords shows you which accounts you use weak passwords for. You change them by pressing the button change Password to click.
Set up Google Account Two-Step Verification
The main way to keep your Google account extra secure is to enable two-step verification. If you try to log in on an unknown device with your email address and password, Google will ask for an extra form of security. For example, to confirm a code that you receive by text message or app or by logging in on a trusted device.
You can find the two-step verification in the tab login at Google under the name 2-step verification. Click on this, enter your password and activate the two-step verification in your favorite method. While all methods are recommended, we especially recommend using prompts on trusted devices and an authentication app.
On the page 2-step verification see you under the tab Available second steps the option Google prompts. Here you can see on which devices you will see a Google prompt when you (or someone else) tries to sign in on a new device. When you get a prompt, simply press the agree button and log in to your new device.
Want to remove one of the prompt accesses on one of your devices? Then log out of the device. We’ll explain how to do that later in this article. Please note that in all cases you will receive backup codes to log in to your Google account if other forms of two-step verification are not possible. These codes work once and you can generate many.
Recovery options
Google also offers two options with which you can recover access to your account, for example because you have forgotten your password. Those are important because they prevent you from being locked out of your important Google account.
You will find the options under the tab Ways We Can Check It’s You. Here you can enter your mobile phone number or that of a good friend. Also choose a recovery address, where Google can reach you if you don’t get to your trusted @gmail.com address.
Extra handy: if Google detects a suspicious login attempt on a new device, the account can text or email you to warn you. For this reason, we have entered our email address as a recovery address in the Google accounts of older family members.
In this way we stay informed – with permission of course – if something changes that the family members themselves may not immediately realize. You can of course change the linked telephone number and e-mail address at any time via this step-by-step plan.
Check external services
On the general security page you will find the tab Third-party apps with account access. Press the button Manage third-party access and you can see at a glance which devices and software services have access to (parts of) your Google account.
You have given permission for this yourself, but Google recommends that you regularly review the list to see if you still use and trust the devices and services. If not, you can simply withdraw the permission.
For example, in our case, smart speakers from Nest and JBL have full access to our Google account, which is necessary and fine. Just like WhatsApp, which has access to Google Drive to store our WhatsApp backup.
To remove a device or service, click its name and choose Revoke access. Do you find it odd that the device or service had access to your Google account? Then let Google know via the button Report this app.
You can also link online accounts to your Google account. That link is useful for faster login, for syncing your music preferences across your devices, or linking with the Google Assistant voice assistant on your smart speaker.
On the general security screen, scroll down and press Linked Accounts. In this overview you can see which accounts are linked to your Google account and on which date you made that connection. Are you no longer using a service? Then you can easily break the link by pressing Disconnect to push.
Back to the general security screen, where you can click the Login with Google sees. Click this to get an overview of the websites and apps where you use (have) your Google account to create an account or to log in. You may have to scroll down first because Google has the option at the top Third-party apps with account access shows.
Bee Login with Google you see the websites and apps. Click on the name of the service and you will see which data the service can view and when you made the link. If you no longer use the website or app, it is advisable to undo the login link. You do this with the button Revoke access.
Logged in devices
On the default security page, Google also shows you which devices you’re signed in with your Google account on. It is advisable to go through this list every now and then to see if you are still using the devices. You can find the tab at the bottom of the page at Je devices. Click here on the button Manage devices. Here you can see the names and last known locations of your devices with the date you last used the device.
If you haven’t used the device in a few months, Google will show a warning and you can click More details click. Have you lost the device? Then choose Search device to try to find the location. Did you give away, sell or no longer use the device? Of Log out log out remotely on the device. If the device is not at all unfamiliar to you, select Don’t recognize this device? to unsubscribe and take any next steps.
At death
An optimally secured Google account allows you to surf the internet more safely, but have you already thought about what should happen with your Google account if you no longer have access to it yourself? For example, because you unexpectedly die?
Google is prepared for this and offers the possibility to give selected acquaintances access to (parts of) the data in your Google account over time. This way they can view and download your data and possibly delete your Google account. Finally, let’s take a look at this.
These functions are off by default. You enable it on https://myaccount.google.com/data-and-personalization. Go down and choose at the tab Download / delete your data or make a plan for this the option Make a plan for your account. Enter your phone number and recovery address and choose after how many months without logging in Google can consider your account inactive. You can choose from three, six, twelve or eighteen months.
Specify who can email Google after that period that your account is inactive. You can choose a maximum of ten people and indicate per person whether he or she will have access to (part of) your Google data. For example, your photos and videos in Google Photos, your files in Google Drive, and your Gmail email history.
At the bottom of the page you can optionally enable Google to delete your inactive account. If you’ve given people access to download your Google data, they’ll have three months to do so before Google deletes your account. Unlike Facebook, for example, Google offers no option to give an account a memorial status.
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