Affiliate marketing Secure affiliation – securing your Gmail account. Part 1
Gmail is the most popular and highly trusted email service, used by a huge number of internet users by default. Gmail accounts often contain important, sensitive information, including documents and personal photos. They are also often used to recover passwords, e.g. to log in to the bank. For this reason, they are often targeted by cybercriminals. Data theft can be used to extort money or take over identity. Millions of people keep both private and business correspondence in their Gmail inbox, so it is worth protecting it from unauthorized access. Google itself provides security tips in its help center. It is worth finding out what precautions to take to avoid the unpleasant consequences of a cyberattack.
My inbox… Gmail
Gmail is a free email service offered by Google. It was launched in 2004 and is now one of the most popular email services in the world. It allows you to store, send, and receive emails, as well as additional options such as integration with other Google services (Calendar, Docs, and more). Therefore, it is used together with them not only by private individuals, but also by companies conducting marketing activities, e.g. with the help of a marketing agency. The popularity of Gmail is due, among other things, to innovative solutions, including the availability of a large space for messages, an intuitive interface and automatic sorting of messages. Gmail is easily accessible from mobile devices – those with Android have the Gmail app installed by default, which encourages users of this type of smartphone to use this mailbox.
In fact, creating a Google account is necessary in many situations, and then each person automatically gains access to Gmail. The mailbox is constantly updated and enriched with new features, including those related to security. It is worth getting to know them and, if necessary, supplementing them with additional protection methods.
Basic security
Google is committed to keeping users safe online. The mail application uses encrypted connections, so messages sent between its users and received by them are encrypted and no one will be able to see their content. If the email was not encrypted or the sender’s domain cannot be authenticated, you will be notified about it. For some time now, when logging into Gmail, you may see the message “Confirm that it’s you”. This appears in cases that are considered confidential activity, such as when you create a new filter, edit an existing filter, or import filters, add a new forwarding address in the Forwarding and POP/IMAP settings, and enable IMAP access status in the settings.
In addition, Gmail automatically scans attachments sent and received by users for potentially dangerous files, such as viruses or malware. When such an attachment is detected, the user is warned and cannot download the file. The built-in mechanism is responsible for detecting phishing, i.e. attempts to deceive and extort user data. Messages with suspicious links or requests for sensitive data are automatically flagged. In addition to the default security, it is also worth using the additional ones that Google allows you to use. Companies that store important information in this type of mailboxes should especially think about it. Google provides a solution in the form of a security audit – in the settings, go to Security -> See details. Here you can see 5 areas where you can make changes along with possible suggestions. These include Your Devices, Recent Security Activity, Third-Party Access, Your Saved Passwords, and Two-Step Verification. Regular updates of the application to the latest version will also help to maintain security. Software updates often contain fixes that fix known vulnerabilities.
New login, strong password
Google’s password manager lets you set your login credentials. A unique, strong password is the first line of defense against cyberattacks in your Gmail account. A strong password should be at least 8 characters long with a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. It should not contain dictionary terms or personal information such as your birthday. You must log in to each account with a different, unique password that differs from those used on other accounts by more than one character.
After choosing a strong password, you can go to your Google account settings -> Security -> How to sign in to Google? -> Password. Additionally, the password manager streamlines the login process by generating, securely storing, and auto-filling strong passwords for each of your accounts.
Two-factor authentication… here too
Two-factor authentication is when you add one or more identity verification methods to your account in addition to your password. A cybercriminal who wants to hack into an account will not be able to log in without a second verification method. You can enable it in several ways, e.g. use a mobile application such as Google Authenticator, a code sent by SMS to a phone number, a U2F security key or log in with an Android or iOS phone. When signing in with an SMS code, make sure to add your actual phone number to your Google Account. Logging in with your smartphone is even faster. Owners of Android smartphones must have a Gmail account added to this in the phone settings: Settings -> Accounts -> Add account -> Google. In the case of iOS, you just need to log in with your Gmail account to the Google app, and after logging in in to the security settings, the smartphone in question will appear on the account. After logging in to your Google account, you will receive a notification on your smartphone that you need to confirm.
The option of signing in with a security key is enough to activate in your Google account. Logging in using a dedicated application is similar to SMS codes. First, you need to configure the application, and then you can enjoy the convenience of using it. To avoid double verification on a device, you can select the “Don’t ask again on this device” option, and it will only appear if there is suspicious activity on your account or when you try to sign in on a new device. However, it is always worth using it, especially on company accounts and computers that many people have access to.
An email inbox is a place where important information and confidential data is stored, making it an ideal target for cybercriminals. Even the boxes that are considered to be the safest will not guarantee one hundred percent protection against attack. That is why it is worth using the protection methods offered by Gmail, as well as securing the devices themselves. Education about popular online scams will also be essential.
