How to Use Google Security Checkup Tool to Strengthen Your Account

Our Google account happily becomes an access point to multiple accounts and settings. From receiving/sending confidential emails to saving precious photos/videos, from keeping our devices in sync to remembering our passwords, Google does it all. But is your Google secure enough to handle all this? Let’s check it out with Google’s Security Checkup Tool.

With cyber threats becoming increasingly sophisticated, protecting online accounts, especially your Google account is crucial. Thanks to the built-in Google security check tool you can review, enhance and manage the security settings and safeguard your account against unauthorized access and potential breaches.

How to Run a Google Security Checkup

To offer optimum Google account protection, the platform offers two tools Security Checkup and Privacy Checkup. Designed to protect users from online threats and unauthorized access, the Security Checkup covers various aspects of account security, such as passwords, devices, account recovery methods, third-party access, and recent security activity.

And there are two ways to run a Google security checkup,

1. Via Security & Privacy Settings Page

Step 1: Open Security & Privacy settings page (link below).

Visit Google Security & Privacy Checkup tool

Step 2: Click 1. Take a Security Checkup.

Step 3: If you’re not logged in to your Google account, click Get Started. Moreover, if you use multiple Google accounts, select the right account.

You’ll now be redirected to the Security Check-Up page. Here, Google offers your six settings, they all are discussed in detail below.

2. Via Google Account Settings

Step 1: Open any Google account (Gmail, Youtube, Google Drive, etc.)

Step 2: Click your profile photo/icon from the top-right corner.

Step 3: Select ‘Manage your Google Account’.

Step 4: Here, select See Details from under Your account is protected.

Again, you’ll be redirected to the Security Check-Up page.

Security Check Settings Offered by Google

As mentioned earlier, Google offers six settings, let’s check them out individually.

1. Check Google Password Security Alerts

Google Autofill can not save you time but it can also protect you from hacks and data breaches. The platform regularly audits your saved passwords to check the passwords for data leaks, repetition, and more.

To view the status of your saved passwords,

Step 1: Click Check your passwords and then select Check passwords.

Step 2: Enter your Google account password → click Next.

Step 3: Here you’ll see a list of all your saved passwords divided into three categories,

• Compromised passwords – The passwords you’ll need to change.
• Reused passwords – Take Google’s help to stop repeating passwords and create unique passwords
• Accounts with weak passwords – Upgrade your weak passwords to avoid account hacks.

Step 4: Click the option you want to resolve, here you can select Change password.

Step 5: Additionally, you can select the horizontal three-dot icon and choose one of the following,

• View password
• Update saved password
• Delete password
• Dismiss warning

2. Check Devices Connected to Your Google Account

Whether it’s your Google account, Instagram, Telegram, or any other account, it is wiser to review the devices you’re logged into. It will help you realize if you’ve mistakenly forgotten to sign out, or if someone has your Google password giving them unauthorized access to your accounts.

Step 1: Click Your devices tab.

Step 2: Here, you’ll see a complete list of devices that have access to your Google Account.

Step 3: If you don’t recognize a device, click on it.

Step 4: Click Sign out and then Sign out again.

3. Monitor Your Recent Security Activity

Whenever you log in to a new device or browser, an alert is sent to your device to confirm if it’s you. This tool allows you to monitor such activities for the last 28 days, including security-related alerts. successful sign-ins, or password changes.

Step 1: Click Recent security activity.

Step 2: If you see some suspicious activity, click See unfamiliar activity? Button.

Step 3: Here, Google will prompt you to change your account password.

Note: If you change the account password, you’ll be signed out of all other devices.

4. Check Google Account 2-Step Verification Settings

To do so, click Sign-in and recovery option → view all devices. If you want to make changes, select 2-Step Verification settings.

If you’ve enabled Google’s 2FA, this section will allow you to view devices or numbers trusted for two-step verification. Moreover, you can add backup options as well from here.

5. Check Which Third-Party Apps Have Google Access

You might have given third-party apps and services to Google account data for easier and quicker access. However, it’s wiser to review these permissions once in a while to ensure your data is not misused.

Click Third-party access to view all apps and services → here click ‘i’ for more details. To revoke access for any of the apps → click Remove access → click Ok to confirm.

6. Check for Suspicious Activity Found on Google Email

Last but definitely not least, Google encourages you to check and strengthen your email security settings. Simply click Gmail settings and view the available options.

How to Turn off Security Check on Gmail

You can’t completely turn off the security check feature in Gmail or any Google account. However, you can disable some settings like 2FA and customize the rest to keep them at the lowest setting.

Although, do note that these features are essential for account protection. So, it’s wiser to not these security measures lightly or disable them, leaving your account vulnerable to attacks.

FAQs Regarding the Security Section of Google Account

Secure Your Google or Gmail Account from Hackers

Google’s Security and Privacy Checkup tool allows you to take control of your account security and privacy. And while these are some valuable tools, they’ll only be helpful and effective, if you set them correctly and review them regularly.

So, take time out to manage your Google Account’s security as often as you can. And if you have any questions or concerns, as always, use the comment section.