Check the Security of Your Google Account

Being vigilant about protecting your online account against a hacker is critical. It is likely you have an online Google account. You may use Gmail for one of your email accounts, have a profile on Google+, use Google Drive, or you might use Google’s Chrome browser. If you use any of Google’s wide variety of services, you have created an account.

Google has a free service — Google Security Check — that allows you to easily and quickly check the security of your Google accounts. Performing a security check will help you find any problems (if they exist).

I ran the security check and did found a potential safety issue. There were several services I had given access to that I no longer use. With a simple click I was able to revoke access. You might have the same security issue on your computer, and an easy way to find those holes is to run the Google Security Check.

It takes just a couple of minutes. Here’s what it does:

1. Ensures your account recovery information is current: If Google detects suspicious activity in your account, they use this recovery information to get in touch with you to make sure no one but you gains access to your account.
2. Lets you review recent sign-in activity: Reviewing recent activity allows you to validate that the sign-ins are coming from you and not someone who should not be using your credentials.
3. Confirms the apps and devices that you have given permission to access some of your Google account information: This step lets you see other applications and services you’ve given permission to access your account information. You can remove apps and devices that no longer need access.

The Google Security Checkup is free, and you can run the process by going to https://myaccount.google.com/ and clicking on GET STARTED.

Running this security check on a regular basis is a good idea. Doing so will add another layer of protection to the information contained within your Gmail, YouTube, and other Google accounts.

Have any questions? Let me know.