If you're like a lot of people, your online life is probably heavily tied to Google, from search and Gmail to Google Calendar and YouTube. Your PC, phone, and tablet likely connect to your Google account; maybe you have a Pixel device.
How can you keep all of this information in check so no one else can access it? Google aims to help with its Security Checkup, a site that reviews your settings so you're the only one who can view your Google account. Let's see how it works.
First, navigate here, which should bring you to the Google Security Checkup page. You'll see four different sections to check, each one devoted to a different area.
First, review the section to "Check your recovery information." Here you'll find a recovery phone number and email if you ever forget your Google password or you suspect suspicious activity with your Google account. You may also see a security question.
Make sure the phone number and email address are both enabled and correct. You can remove your security question if it still exists, as Google no longer supports this method of recovering your account should you forget your password. When finished with this section, click on the Done button.
Check Your Connected Devices
Move on to the next section dubbed "Check your connected devices." Make sure that each device is one you used at a certain location and time.
You can click on the down arrow next to each device to retrieve further details. If all the information looks valid, click on the "Looks good" button.
If you suspect someone else may have accessed your Google account using a specific device, click on the "Something looks wrong" button. Google prompts you to change your password so no one else can tap into your account. When finished, click on the Looks good button.
Disable Access for Less Secure Apps
At the third section, called "Disable access for less secure apps," you can review the access that apps have to your Google Apps account.
The concern here is that some of these apps may use less secure methods to gain such access. Here you have three options: 1) You can turn off access for less secure apps; 2) You can turn on access for less secure apps and take your chances; or 3) You can turn off access for less secure apps and try to find more secure apps as replacements.
You'll want to be careful and do some testing here, though. Turning off access for less secure apps will prevent you from using your Gmail account with certain email clients.
When finished, click on the Done button. For more, this support site offers further details on the process.
Check Your Account Permissions
Finally, the fourth section to "Check your account permissions" lets you check any apps, websites, and devices that can connect to your Google account.
Review each item to make sure you're comfortable with each one having access to your account. You can click on the down arrow next to each item to view more detailed information. If you spot an item you'd like to cut off, just click on the Remove button. When finished, click on the Done button to complete this section and your Google Privacy Checkup.
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