While no virus scanner can catch
100% of infections, it is still
important to run a scan on your
computer with a trusted
anti-virus software (or install
a program that runs in the
background and scans
continuously). If the scan
detects any suspicious programs
or applications, remove them
immediately. Find virus scanners
here.
Make sure your operating system is
up to date
Operating systems release
patches to repair security
vulnerabilities. Whether you use
Windows or
Mac OS, we recommend
protecting your computer by
enabling your automatic update
setting, and updating when you
get a notification.
Make sure to perform regular
software updates
Some software updates aren't
included in your operating
system updates, but they are
just as important. Software such
as
Adobe Flash,
Adobe Reader, and
Java release regular updates
that may include repairs for
security vulnerabilities.
2.Your Browser
To
check for browser updates in
Internet Explorer, select the
Tools tab and
click Windows Update.
In Firefox, just click the
Help tab and
select Check for Updates.
Google Chrome automatically
updates when a new version is
released.
Check your browser for plug-ins,
extensions, and third-party
programs/tools that require access
to your Google Account credentials
Plug-ins and extensions are
downloadable computer programs
that work with your browser to
perform specific tasks. For
example, you may have downloaded
a plug-in or extension that
checks your Gmail inbox for new
messages. Google can't guarantee
the security of these third
party services. If those
services are compromised, so is
your Gmail password.
If
your account has been
recently compromised,
you should update your password
now. In general we suggest you
change it periodically,
following these guidelines:
Pick a unique password that
you haven't previously used
on other sites or on Gmail.
Just changing one character
or number still counts as
reusing your password.
Don't use a dictionary word
or a common word that's
easily guessable. Use a
combination of numbers,
characters, and
case-sensitive letters.
Update your account recovery options
We
all may forget our passwords at
some point, so we strongly
encourage that you update your
account recovery options. To
update these options, sign in to
your Google Account by going to
https://www.google.com/accounts
and click Recovering
your password.
Recovery email
address: We can use
your recovery email address
to communicate with you if
you lose access to your
account.
Learn more.
SMS: We can
send you a recovery code to
your mobile phone number,
which you can use to reset
your password.
Learn more.
Secret question:
This option is only
available if you can't use
the above recovery options
and only if haven't tried to
sign in during the past 24
hours. An ideal answer to
your security question is
easy for you to remember,
but hard for others to
guess.
Turn on 2-step verification
2-step verification adds an
extra layer of security to your
account by requiring you to sign
in with something you know (your
password) and something you have
(a code sent to your phone).
Check the list of websites that are
authorized to access your Google
Account data
Make sure that the list of
authorized websites are accurate
and ones that you have chosen.
If your Google Account has been
compromised recently, it's
possible that the bad guys could
have authorized their own
websites to access your account
data. This may allow them to
access your Google Account after
you have changed your password.
To
edit the list of authorized
websites:
Sign in on the Google
Accounts homepage.
Click the My Account
link displayed at the top
right of the page.
Click Authorizing
applications & sites.
This page will list all
third-party sites you've
granted access to.
Click the Revoke
Access link to
disable access for a site.
4.Your Gmail settings
If
your account has been
recently compromised,
you should update your password
now. In general we suggest you
change it periodically,
following these guidelines:
Pick a unique password that
you haven't previously used
on other sites or on Gmail.
Just changing one character
or number still counts as
reusing your password.
Don't use a dictionary word
or a common word that's
easily guessable. Use a
combination of numbers,
characters, and
case-sensitive letters.
Update your account recovery options
We
all may forget our passwords at
some point, so we strongly
encourage that you update your
account recovery options. To
update these options, sign in to
your Google Account by going to
https://www.google.com/accounts
and click Recovering
your password.
Recovery email
address: We can use
your recovery email address
to communicate with you if
you lose access to your
account.
Learn more.
SMS: We can
send you a recovery code to
your mobile phone number,
which you can use to reset
your password.
Learn more.
Secret question:
This option is only
available if you can't use
the above recovery options
and only if haven't tried to
sign in during the past 24
hours. An ideal answer to
your security question is
easy for you to remember,
but hard for others to
guess.
Turn on 2-step verification
2-step verification adds an
extra layer of security to your
account by requiring you to sign
in with something you know (your
password) and something you have
(a code sent to your phone).
Check the list of websites that are
authorized to access your Google
Account data
Make sure that the list of
authorized websites are accurate
and ones that you have chosen.
If your Google Account has been
compromised recently, it's
possible that the bad guys could
have authorized their own
websites to access your account
data. This may allow them to
access your Google Account after
you have changed your password.
To
edit the list of authorized
websites:
Sign in on the Google
Accounts homepage.
Click the My Account
link displayed at the top
right of the page.
Click Authorizing
applications & sites.
This page will list all
third-party sites you've
granted access to.
Click the Revoke
Access link to
disable access for a site.
5. Final Reminders
Never give
out your password after following a link
sent to you in a message, even if it
looks like Gmail's sign-in page. Access
Gmail directly by typing https://mail.google.com
in your browser's address bar.
Don’t share
your password with other websites -
Google can’t guarantee the security of
other websites and your Gmail password
could be compromised.
Keep
secrets! Never tell anyone your
password, or your secret question and
answer; if you do tell someone, change
it as soon as possible.
