It is critical to secure your Google account in this digital age because it is linked to various apps and contains personal information such as emails, contacts, images, and messages. As a result, the risk of such private information slipping into the wrong hands is enormous. Hackers and cybercriminals use this information to commit crimes such as fraud and identity theft.
As a result, it is critical to safeguard your online accounts. Google offers a number of tools and settings to help you improve the security of your account. You can help prevent unwanted access to your account and keep your data safe from hackers by implementing these security steps.
This article will discuss five techniques to protect your Google account in 2023.
There are numerous methods for protecting your Google account, ranging from two-factor authentication to Google Authenticator.
1) Choose a strong and distinct password.
Hackers use susceptible weak passwords to gain access to your information, so it is critical to protect it by choosing stronger and unique passwords.
To update your Google password, go to your Google Account, pick “Security,” and then “Password” under “How you sign in to Google.” Follow the prompts to generate a new strong and unique password, which you should keep in your password manager. You can keep passwords electronically using password managers such as 1Password, Bitwarden, or Dashlane, or physically by writing them down in a safe place.
2) Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA)
This security feature protects your personal information by adding an extra degree of security. It protects your account from illegal access by notifying you of any external login attempts, lowering the likelihood of your Google account being hacked.
To enable two-factor authentication or 2-Step Verification, go to your Google account and select “How you sign in to Google” from the Security menu.
Follow the steps to specify how you wish to use 2FA after clicking “Get started.” You have the option of using Google Authenticator, Backup codes, or Security Key. You will receive voice or text messages to your registered phone number by default.
If you enable this option, the next time you sign in to your Google account, you will receive a verification code.
3) Maintain software updates.
It is critical to maintain your software up to date. If your browser, operating system, or apps are not updated, some vulnerabilities may be left behind for hackers to exploit and access your personal information.
Security patches are included in software updates to address any flaws that hackers could exploit. This ensures that your software is optimized to handle any security threats and that your data is safe from any harm.
4) Make use of Google Authenticator.
Google provides several authentication options to protect your account. To add an extra degree of security, one alternative is to utilize an authenticator app.
Go to your account and then to the Security menu, where you’ll see the 2-Step Verification option under “How you sign in to Google.”
Then, under the Authenticator App section, click “Set Up.”
Choose “Change Phone” if you’re replacing your phone.
Download and launch the app, then follow the prompts to connect your Google account.
Following the completion of the setup, your account will use Google Authenticator as a 2-Step Verification to keep it safe.
5) Be cautious when using the internet.
It is always prudent to take caution when accessing various websites on the internet. When a number of malicious URLs are clicked, executables designed to steal sensitive information are launched. Avoid clicking on random pop-ups or dubious links to avoid this. Additionally, avoid clicking on emails that appear dubious, and always report them as spam or phishing. This will allow your email provider to take action against the sender (s).
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