5 essential Gmail tricks for enhancing account security

Gmail security stands as a paramount concern, given its status as one of the most popular email service providers globally. Users can seamlessly integrate it with other Google services such as Google Drive, Calendar, and Google+ using their Google accounts. Knowing these 5 Gmail tricks for securing your account ensures invaluable insights to keep unauthorized access at bay.

Implementing Gmail's two-step verification

This serves as the fundamental platform to secure all your accounts. Enabling two-factor authentication / 2-step verification on Gmail ensures that no unauthorized intruder can access your account, even if they have your password. You'll receive an authentication code sent to your registered phone number every time you log into your account from a new device.

To activate Gmail's 2-step verification, visit the link HERE, then click Get Started. Simply follow the steps, enter your phone number, and input the verification code when prompted. Once done, your Gmail account will be activated with 2-step verification.

On the 2-step verification homepage, you can set up alternative second options if desired, choosing from authentication apps, backup codes, and prompts from Google instead of entering verification codes.

Monitor Gmail account activities

5 essential Gmail hacks to safeguard your account

If you're concerned about potential impersonation by hackers lurking within your account (such as emails marked as read that you haven't actually read), it's best to review the activity details on your account to see the timing and login activities.

Open your Gmail inbox, then scroll down to the bottom of the page. In the bottom right corner, find and click Details to open the Activity Information window.

Here you can see everything related to how your account is accessed. Scroll down the page and select Show an alert for unusual activity.

For added security measures, at the top corner of the window, find and select Sign out of all other web sessions to close Gmail on all devices that might be running the app you're using.

Control access to your Google account

It's easy to lose track of all the apps you allow to access certain information on your Google account. Without caution, you could inadvertently hand over email information, Google contacts, etc., to phishing attempts and spammers.

To manage authorized apps accessing your account, first go to the link HERE. If you notice anything suspicious or simply decide you don't want an app accessing your information, click on the app and select Remove.

Change Gmail password in case of security incidents

Every passing day brings news of widespread account information breaches, such as the PlayStation Network outage in 2011 and eBay's violations in 2014 when 148 million users were compromised, etc.

While you may not be a victim of those attacks today, no one can guarantee you'll be safe tomorrow. That's why you should proactively change your Gmail password to prevent unfortunate incidents. Changing your Gmail password only takes a little time.

Whenever you hear about any attack, even if it's unverified (like the sale of Gmail accounts on the Dark Web in March), consider changing your account password. And make sure that password is strong, or it's randomly generated using LastPass or similar tools.

Check Email Forwarding settings in Gmail

5 essential Gmail tricks for securing your account

Sometimes, just accessing your account once allows hackers to observe everything you do. For instance, a hacker could set up email forwarding in Gmail for your important emails or allow them to access and impersonate you to read emails in your account.

To ensure this doesn't happen, access your Gmail account, then click on the Settings gear icon at the top right corner, select Accounts and Import. Check the Grant access to your account section, and tick Mark conversation as read when opened by others to easily detect unauthorized activities.

Next, click on Forwarding and POP/IMAP and ensure that no email forwarding addresses are set up in your account. If there are any suspicious activities here, as well as delete any email addresses, proceed to change your password immediately.

Here are 5 Gmail tricks that Mytour has just introduced to you. Hopefully, after this article, readers will have more knowledge about security to protect their Gmail accounts as well as other accounts and data. During use, if unfortunately you forget your Gmail password, don't worry, there will be ways to help you recover your Gmail password when forgotten, the trick to recover Gmail password is extremely simple and easy for everyone.