If you use Gmail, you can follow these steps to help make sure your account stays safe.
Make sure your email is not getting forwarded or shared unless you want it to beCheck the “Mail settings” tab in Gmail for forwarding
and delegation
settings that grant others access to your account to make sure your email is being
directed properly.
If you forget your password, you need a way to get back into your accountGoogle can send you an email at a recovery email address if you need to reset your
password, so make sure that recovery email address is up-to-date and is an account you
can access. You can also add a phone number to your Gmail profile to receive a code to
reset your password via text message.
Having a mobile phone number on your account is one of the easiest and most reliable
ways to help keep your account safe. For example, Google can use the phone number to
challenge people if they try to break into your account, and send you a verification
code so you can get into your account if you ever lose access. Giving a recovery phone
number to Google won’t result in you being signed up for marketing lists or getting
more calls from telemarketers.Your mobile phone is a more secure identification method than your recovery email
address or a security question because, unlike the other two, you have physical
possession of your mobile phone.
Check for unusual access or activity in your account Regularly review your account for unfamiliar or suspicious activity. Click on the
“details” link at the very bottom of the page to find the most recent IP addresses your
mail was accessed from, and their associated locations. If you see suspicious account
activity, immediately change your password and log out of your account. Find out more
information about suspicious account activity.
When you’re signing into Gmail, you should check to make sure the web address begins
with https:// (and not just “http://”). This signals that your connection to the
website is encrypted and more resistant to snooping or tampering. For more Gmail
tips, take a look at Gmail security checklist.
