How to make your Google account more secure
Anyone with a Google account can add an extra layer of security to it by subscribing for the new Advanced Protection Program
Google has come up with a new set of security features that would make hacking into a Google account, Drive or Gmail harder. Bundled under the Advanced Protection Program these new features are meant for users who want to protect their privacy at all costs. It is an optional service and anyone with a Google device and Google account can sign up for it for free. Here are the key areas where it will protect users.
PROTECTION AGAINST PHISHING ATTACKS
Advanced Protection Program can protect users against phishing attacks carried out using malicious emails and fake sign-in pages. Under the program, users are required to buy a USB based device called Security key and set a passcode for it. This device will be required every time the user wants to log into his Google account. On PCS you will have to plug it into the USB slot and type the passcode while logging in.
On smartphones, user can verify using a Bluetooth Security key. This will add an extra step in the user’s login process but will also make it more secure. So even if a user’s username and password have been compromised, hackers won’t be able to exploit them without the Security Key. The Yubico FIDO U2F Security Key, recommended by Google, costs Rs 3,700 on Amazon.in.
CURBS PERMISSIONS FOR THIRD PARTY APPS
A lot of apps ask users to provide permission to access email or documents at the time of login. The new program assures protection against third party apps which ask for permissions to access data on Google apps such as Gmail and Drive in the name of offering better services. Users who sign up for the program won’t have to worry about these third party apps anymore. They will be automatically restricted from accessing anything on critical Google apps.
HOW IT HANDLES IMPERSONATORS
Now if a hacker is trying to break into a Google account by impersonating the original user and pretending to be logged out, Advanced Protection Program will make the process of recovering the password more and more difficult.
Several layers of verification with more complex questions will be added which would only be known to the original user. In addition to it, users will also have to provide more details on how the account was hacked.