In search of security
If you use Gmail, use two-factor security, perhaps even for sign-in. Triple-check any message or the address of any site that asks for your password.
Peter Gutmann: “Gmail is actually pretty secure. What I’d suggest is using a different account for account sign-ups and password resets. Set up some randomgarbage-name Gmail account that you never use for anything else – and never send mail from – for password resets, and protect it with two-factor authentication and anything else you can set. Then use a standard Gmail account for mail but never as a sign-up account.
Never reuse passwords. If you are hacked, change the password of all your other online accounts,
particularly those that use your Google email. Add mobile backup if you don’t already. If you suspect others are using your ID, tell your bank. And tell the police if actual identity theft happens.
Have plenty of proof of ownership when you go begging at Google’s (or Facebook’s, etc) door.
If you don’t have automatic software updates on or your software doesn’t give you a choice, make sure you update regularly. On your phone, consider using a password manager, such as Google Authenticator or Authy.
How to find out when you
opened your Gmail account. In your inbox, go to the top right and click on Oldest. Or, go to Settings, then Forwarding and POP/IMAP. Presuming it’s been enabled, look at the line: POP is enabled for all mail that has arrived since … That’s the date.
To limit dynamic pricing, vary your searching by also using StartPage or DuckDuckGo. Use private browsing every time you use a search engine or social media, or a VPN if you have one. Try an experiment, says Ariel Ezrachi. “Instead of using your MacBook, use a PC – you will get a cheaper price. Leave your house, go to a different house, book the same holiday or buy the same product – you will get a cheaper price. Never go directly to your favourite site. Always go through Google. Even the simplest dynamic pricing will give you a discount if you came from a marketplace.”
Use an ad blocker, if your ethics allow it, so that even if your preferences are being tracked, offers can be ignored.
If you want to banish Google from your digital life, go to: tinyurl. com/NZLunGoogle