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Learn the basics of online security

Learn about "authentication", what it means for your safety, and the inherent balance between accessing your account easily and keeping security tight enough to keep hijackers out.

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  • Basics of online safety

    In your everyday life, you take precautions to keep yourself safe, like buckling your seatbelt or wearing a bike helmet. It’s just as important to protect yourself online with simple safety measures.

    Just as locking and bolting a front door protects your home, enabling additional security steps when you log in to your account helps to ensure its security. Layers of protection like strong, unique passwords and 2-Step Verification are essential tools for keeping your sensitive information private.

    In the Online Security Guidebook, you’ll learn what it means to stay safe online, the potential threats to your privacy, and actions you can take to be confident in your online security.

  • What is authentication?

    Signing into your Google Account is like unlocking the front door to your online home. It’s also where most security issues start. Google’s authentication steps verify your identity so only you can gain access to your account.

    Strong passwords, 2-Step Verification – which you can learn more about below – and recovery options are all tools and protections to keep your account information safe. Signing in to Google is secure by default, but taking simple precautions can protect you even more.

  • Strong Passwords

    Strong, unique passwords are a good first step towards securing your data. For example, you wouldn’t use the same key for the front door of your home as you would for a suitcase padlock; likewise, you want to create unique, difficult-to-guess passwords for every online account. Learn more about how to create strong passwords.

  • 2-Step Verification

    Compromised passwords are more common than you might think. One of the best ways to protect your account is to have an extra form of verification in place. 2-Step Verification helps keep out anyone who shouldn’t have access to your account by requiring you to verify access to a trusted device after you enter your password.

    Because 2-Step Verification requires both something you know and something you have, it’s much harder for hackers to gain access. Think of an apartment building that requires residents to enter a code to open the front door of the building. If a burglar knew the code to enter the building, they would still need the unique physical key to enter any apartment.

    Learn how to turn on 2-Step Verification.

  • Account recovery

    Sometimes you forget your key and get locked out. It happens to everyone!

    Don’t worry; if you have trouble logging in, Google can act like your personal locksmith and help you regain access to your account.

    Google will ask you a series of personalized security questions to confirm your identity.  The questions you get will be based on your account’s level of security and the recovery options you set up.

    Learn how to recover your Google Account.

  • Step up security

    Choosing how strongly to guard your personal information will depend on the sensitivity of your data.

    While almost everyone has sensitive or personal information in their accounts, there are some people who may be at a higher risk of online attacks. Journalists, politicians, activists, and others who may be specifically targeted can use Advanced Protection or Security Keys to help safeguard their data. Learn how to enroll in Advanced Protection.

    Learn how to add Security Keys.

  • Balance speed and security

    Additional protective layers will make your account more secure but may also add more steps when you log in. This is known as “security friction.”

    Making decisions about security is all about striking the right balance between keeping hijackers out while letting you in.

    One easy way to protect your Google Account is to take the Security Checkup. This step-by-step tool gives you personalized and actionable recommendations to help strengthen the security of your Google Account.

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