3 ways to protect the data in your google account

3 WAYS TO PROTECT THE DATA IN YOUR

GOOGLE ACCOUNTBy Lookout, Inc.

From email to documents to contacts, there’s a lot of

personal info attached to your Google account.

How do I keep my private data private?“

It’s only natural that you’d be wondering

USE TWO-FACTOR AUTHENTICATION on all your accounts especially the ones that hold sensitive data such as photos,

credit card numbers, and personally identifiable information.

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1. Sign in to your Google account and click on your name or picture in the upper right corner of the screen. Click on “Account”.

2. Click on “Security” on the top of the page.

3. Click on “Setup” next to “2-Step Verification.

4. After reading Google’s information about signing in with 2-Step, click on “Start Setup.”

5. Enter your Google password and click “Sign In.”

6. Enter your phone number, select how you would like your codes sent, and click “Send code.” It’s important that you provide a number you’ll always have access to.

7. Enter the code that was sent to you by the method you chose in Step 6. Click “Verify.”

8. Determine whether you trust the device you’re on. You should only check the box next to “Trust this computer” if you’re the only one who uses it and it is password protected.

9. Click “Confirm” to set up 2-Factor Verification.

10. You now have access to 2-Factor Verification settings. If you don’t want to be sent a new code every time you log into your account from a new device, you can opt to use

Google’s Authenticator app to generate verification codes instead.

11. You can also set up a backup phone number or print out backup codes in case something happens to your phone.

12. You can also manage App-specific passwords and Registered computers.

13. You’ll probably discover how many devices are accessing your Google account pretty quickly as you have to log in to your account again. It’s an important reminder how

vulnerable your personal information was just moments ago.

CHOOSE A COMPLEX PASSWORD using at least 8 characters including numbers, special characters, and that is not based on a

dictionary word. Alternatively, you can use a number of dictionary words to create a “passphrase."

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Read the blog

SET A PASSCODE ON YOUR PHONE AND COMPUTER One of the easiest ways for someone to get into an account that doesn’t belong to them doesn’t involve hacking at all. Since you’re probably always logged into your accounts, a

passcode on your device is the best way to keep out anyone who shouldn’t have access to your device.

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