4 steps you should take to secure your Gmail account right away

There are specific methods according to which  you can increase the security factor of your Google or Gmail account. In this article, we will point out some ways that can help increase the security of your Google or Gmail account.

About Gmail

Gmail is a web-based mail service with more than 2,600 MB of storage and Google search tools. Use of this service is free of charge. This service allows using 40 different languages, online chat, message categorization, and downloading messages on the computer to access messages when you are not connected to the Internet. Also, using this service is possible on mobile phones, etc.

Gmail has made a name for itself in the minds of millions of users around the world. Millions of users use this popular service daily, and its application is available for various platforms. Many messages exchanged in Gmail contain personal or confidential information. Unfortunately, malicious attacks, phishing, and password hacking have become very common and can affect  the security of it. There are steps you can take to prevent Gmail from being hacked

Why you should protect it

These days, our Google or Gmail accounts play an important role in our lives. Many people make vital and even commercial uses of their Google and Gmail. In this situation, the access of profiteers and abusers to the account information of these people can cause an irreparable disaster. Even if the information accessed through Google Account is not financially and commercially important, it is still important. For example, one of the most popular uses of Gmail these days is to enable it in popular games such as Clash of Clans and so on. Now, if the profiteer accesses the details of your account, you should probably say goodbye to your account in the games.

So, in general, the issue of Google account security is extremely important, and you should pay special attention to it. But  how can we increase the security of our Google or Gmail?  What methods are recommended to do this? In this article, we will point out the methods that are very effective in increasing the security of your Google or Gmail.

Increase the security of your Gmail

1- Choose a strong password

In the first step, consider a strong password for your account. To do this, follow these steps:

- Go to the security settings of your Gmail or Google account. If necessary, you must enter your account details and sign in.

- Click on the Password option.

- Enter your new password and follow the other simple steps required.

But the main thing to consider is choosing a strong password for your Gmail. But what is a strong password? A strong password is a password that does not contain simple, predictable phrases or numbers. Try to use a combination of numbers and letters in determining your Google Account password and consider an orderly arrangement for them. Also, use uppercase and lowercase letters in the password and never set a short password for your account.

2- Add recovery contact number

Another step that is very effective in increasing the security of your Google or Gmail is to add a recovery contact number to your account. To do this, follow these steps:

- Go to the home page of your Gmail.

- In the Personal info & privacy section, select your personal info option.

- Click on the Phone option.

- Now, select the Add a recovery phone option and set a dedicated and accessible phone number as the account recovery contact number.

This method is one of the most effective methods or tricks that increase the security of your Google or Gmail account. Note that your recovery contact number must always be available.

3- Add recovery email

Another method or trick that can  increase the security of your Google or Gmail  is to add a recovery email. Follow the steps below to add a recovery email to your Google Account:

- Go to the home page of your Gmail.

- In the Personal info & privacy section, select your info option.

- Click on the Email option.

- Now, select the Add a recovery email option and specify an available email as your account recovery email.

In this way, you can access your Gmail account and then change your password and recover it if necessary, whenever you feel threatened.

4- Activate two-step verification capability

Two-step verification is another effective way to increase the security of Gmail or Google accounts. In order to activate this feature for your account, follow the steps below:

- Go to the activation page of the two-step authentication feature of your Gmail or Google account. If necessary, enter the Gmail details and sign in.

- Click on Get started to begin the process of activating the two-step Gmail authentication process.

How should we know it has been hacked?

Whenever the computer is out of your direct control, it is always possible for someone other than you to access its information. Consider someone hacking your Gmail account and visiting your Inbox every day. They only read emails that you have already opened. In this way, they always have access to valuable information about you.

Here we will recommend some ways to you in order to check the security of your Gmail:

Step 1: Use the Last Account Activity option

Find the Last Account Activity option at the bottom of the Gmail page. Click the Details button to see the details of this section and compare it with your activity.

Step 2: See who has access to it

Here is a table that contains information about the latest access to your email.

Step 3: Identify the IP

Do the IPs in the list belong to you, or have you been hacked? You may see several IPs in the list provided, be calm and check them out. If you used interface services such as VPN when connecting to your Gmail, you might see IPs from other cities or countries in the list.

Step 4: Know Google Alerts

Google also imposes some kind of public surveillance on various accounts, and if it detects suspicious activity in your email, it detects the suspicious IP and warns you. If you are in such a case, assume to have been hacked and change your password immediately.

Step 5: Sign out from it on other computers

You may have forgotten to log out of your email after using a public computer or your friend's computer. Click the sign-out another session button. This does not help a hacked account and only compensates for any possible negligence.

What should we do if it was hacked?

1- Security software update

Make sure your  security software  is up to date. If you do not have security software installed on your computer, first install security software (only from reputable and trusted companies). Once installed, run it and remove any known malicious programs. Finally, restart your computer.

2- Review its provider recommendations

Another solution is to review the recommendations of your email or social network provider on how to recover your account. Helpful hints can be found on account recovery on Gmail provider sites. If your account has been stolen, you may need to fill out forms to prove that you actually own the account.

3- Do not click on anonymous links

Do not click on links in Gmail, and do not open Gmail attachments unless you know the sender and also know what those links and attachments are.

Clicking on links or attachments may lead to the installation of malicious software on your computer. Also, do not send random links to your friends.

Conclusion

Enabling security features to enhance Gmail security is important. If you use simple passwords, you are definitely putting your account at risk. Some attacks may affect your email address and password, and you should be able to increase the security level of your account to prevent such problems. All the methods mentioned in this article can help you to  have a secure and powerful Gmail against any vulnerabilities.