Email has become essential to everyday conversations in this fast-paced and busy world. Email plays a huge role in submitting a job application or staying in touch with your loved ones. Over the past decades, internet emailing has evolved extensively, with its pros and cons. Out of all the other mail services, Gmail accounts for 28.78% of the email client market share worldwide. That makes a lot of users and unprecedented security breaches. Google makes sure your data is fully encrypted, but conducting regular “my account Google security checks will only help you stay away from the fraudulent. Wondering how that is possible? Well, we have the right set of exquisites to guide you through. So, let’s learn 18+ Ways To Secure Your Gmail In 2024:
Allow 2 Factor Email Authentication
The Google Authentication System provides intricate email security standards, which typically help users authenticate their data. Google authenticates users’ data, enabling 2-factor authentication, making it difficult to get access to your credentials and other account details. The 1st “option/factor” is the password, and the 2nd is mostly the phone number you need to insert to access your account. You will receive a verification code in your phone that authenticates secure log-in.
Malware Security
At times, your Gmail is susceptible to malware within your system. Malware refers to a wide range of harmful programs – viruses, trojan horses, ransomware, spyware, adware, and similar entities designed to compromise the security and functionality of PCs. Here is how you can get rid of the same:
- Utilize reliable antivirus software and ensure it is consistently updated.
- Activate and set up a firewall to oversee and manage incoming and outgoing network traffic.
Some of the most popular antivirus that can protect your system from malware are – McAfee Antivirus, Malwarebytes, and Norton Antivirus.
Refrain From Clicking On Suspicious Links
According to Barracuda’s stats, 91% of bait emails are sent from newly created Gmail accounts, while only 9% for other email platforms. Gmail is very popular, and people associate it with legitimacy. That paves the way for the discussion – how not every link on the internet is authentic. It may or may not be as legitimate as it seems. Gmail is the prime target for phishing schemes where scammers mostly send spam emails to people and obtain their passwords, including information stored in confidential mail. If in doubt, hover your mouse over the link to preview the destination before clicking. Google Chrome users can find the address displayed in the bottom left corner of the browser. It’s a crucial step to ensure you are secure on the web.
Always Be Careful While Granting In-App Permissions
In-app permissions are common nowadays. Also, people find it the easiest to log in to new tools with their existing Gmail IDs. But that also makes them susceptible to threats, exposing important data stored in the Gmail account to fraud on the web. Hence, before granting in-app permissions or logging into new profiles with your email – Gmail, run a thorough authenticity check about the app. Proceed only if you are completely sure of the information provided.
Choose Your Password Smartly
You should always update your Gmail password specifically. Make sure you are not using a single password for all your emails. Here is how you can make your password strong and secure on the web:
- Use a complex combination
- Avoid common words
- Longer is better
- Uniqueness is every password you choose
Do Not Share Your Passwords
Google will never request your password, nor should you share your Gmail password with anyone else. If you receive an email soliciting your password, even if it appears from Google, disregard it or report spam. This is a phishing attempt commonly employed by hackers seeking unauthorized access to your Gmail account.
Take Account Recovery Options Seriously
Always include a backup phone number (your number) or a secondary email as your Gmail backup. You can rely on the secondary contacts to regain your account If your access is ever compromised. It’s helpful and important to set up more than one backup.
Take Immediate Action On Notifications Indicating “Suspicious Activity With Your Mail”
If Google identifies any “suspicious activity,” you will get an alert through a notification on your secondary Gmail accounts – via email or text. “Suspicious activity” might involve signing in from a new location or device or altering a password. If you receive an alert for actions you didn’t initiate, treat it seriously and take care of it immediately.
Always Keep A Track Of Account Activities
At the right side bottom of the desktop window, you’ll find a summary displaying the most recent instance of your account access. Additionally, by clicking “details,” you can obtain a more comprehensive overview of the methods and times the account was utilized, including information about the devices involved. A crucial step in “my account Google security” dynamics.
Go For Regular Browser Updates
Developers continuously dedicate efforts to identify, acknowledge, and resolve loopholes in the technology already made available. This is why you receive regular updates indicating a new browser or operating system version. The updates comprise of latest security patches and adequate bug fixes. Always treat these notifications with utmost seriousness. Not installing new updates can seriously threaten your data in general.
Monitor Third-Party Access
You can install various third-party identification apps or use secure platform services to detect and resolve specific issues with external threats. Here are several categories of applications designed to fulfill this purpose:
- VPN- Virtual Private Networks
- Device Monitoring Apps
- Security Suites
Always Keep An Eye On The Count Of Devices You Are Logged In
If you are a typical professional, you likely use Gmail on various devices. This counts for work computers, home computers, smartphones, laptops, and tablets. However, the more systems you regularly use to access your account, the higher the vulnerability chances. Accessing your account from any of these systems is sufficient to compromise security. So ensure you always log out of your personal Gmail account on a shared net. Also, go for password changes at frequent intervals, taking “my account Google security checks seriously.”
Be Extra Cautious While Using Gmail In Public Computers
Use a confidential browsing tab to guarantee that your information isn’t retained, and remember to sign out & close the browser after completing your session. Regardless of the additional security measures you employ, leaving your account signed in on a public system can undermine your efforts.
Enable SMS Passcodes From “My Account Google Security Service”
Gmail has various built-in options to make emails more private and secure. Choose the lock/clock icon present in the lower row and then enable the “confidential mode.” The first option you will get is to set a passcode for the email. Once it is enabled, then you can initiate a password to a contact number and use that to sign into the email. A great way to ensure that the individual email is secure.
Use Smart Lock Option
Smart Lock encompasses various services aimed at enhancing the security of your accounts and devices. It is a steady answer to your question of “how to lock a Gmail account on Android or iOS devices?” If you own a Chromebook or an Android device, you can automatically secure your devices when they are not close, utilizing nearby Bluetooth or, in certain instances, facial recognition.
Set Sensitive Emails To Expire
In Gmail, you can set a specific timeframe for your email to “expire,” whether within a day, a week, a month, or on a designated future date. That makes things a lot easier and more secure. You can simply put the confidential information scheduled to get deleted.
Regularly Clean Your Inbox
Daily, the average person deals with approximately 120 emails, contributing to over 300 billion global emails annually, demanding efficient management across devices. It is really important to keep your inbox light so that you only access the important messages and avoid spam emails.
Be Careful Of Unauthorized Attachments
Double-check and be aware of unauthorized attachments with spam messages in your inbox. You should always delete those unnecessary texts and attachments. Do not click or download attachments from unknown mail addresses. Such attachments might carry viruses and harm your data.
Always Log-In Through A Secure Internet Connection
Connecting to unauthorized internet can lead to unprecedented security threats or man-in-the-middle attacks as well. Make sure you are logging into a secured internet. Stay away from free networks and wi-fi’s with peculiar names.
Always Back Up Your Data
Backing up your Gmail data enhances security by safeguarding against data loss due to accidental deletion, hacking, or system failures. Regular backups ensure you can recover essential emails and information, providing a resilient defense against potential threats or account compromise.
Emails are a quintessential part of the daily life. It is a prime variant that helps us stay connected over the net. People often face unwanted attacks on their Gmail ID initiated by frauds out in the market. However, when there is a will, there is a way and the mentioned tips will help you get through with ease always. So wait no more. Log into your Gmail ID today and ensure you have changed “my account Google Security” as directed.
