Take Control of Your Security on Google
There is a dark side to search engines. While there are many articles and blogs online which attempt to blueprint the various ways in which hackers can breach a computer and steal valuable information, now many are dedicated to the kind of information that is already out there and not as secure as we would like to think. When it comes to new technology 2015, most people already know that search engines such as Google stores, and sometimes even sells user data to third parties. And while the company does manage user data, it also puts a certain degree of control in the user’s hands too, along with the tools that can be used to safeguard that data.
Here we are going to talk about how users can keep their data secure while using Google.
The New My Account Dashboard
Not too long ago, Google had announced that it has revamped the ‘My Account’ page, which is the place you go when you want to take control of your security and privacy online. So, instead of having to visit the many settings pages of the countless services that Google provides, users can make changes to the settings from here. To learn more about what Google is and isn’t allowed to store when it comes to user data you can also visit privacy.Google.com, so you will know exactly what settings you need to change.
Security Checkup
To use this tool you will first have to make sure you have got the right recovery info, such as a phone number and an email address that is not necessarily that of a Google account. Secondly, you will need a security question that is so specific to you that no one would ever be able to guess it. You will need that security question someday if you forget your password or if your Google account gets hacked.
Use the ‘Check your connected devices’ tab to delete any accounts you do not use. Remember that Google is going to ask you to change the password anyway if the ‘Something looks wrong’ button is clicked. While it is hard work, changing our passwords as frequently as possible will help in increasing security online.
The ‘Accounts Permissions’ menu is where you will get to review the websites, apps and devices that are connected to your Google account. It’s best to remove any extensions that you are not using. If you do delete something you need by mistake, you could always give it permission later. If you have created any app passwords for services which do not use Gmail logins, such as a game console, you can easily revoke them from this menu.
Now, it is time to check the two-step verification setting of your Gmail account. This is also called two-factor authentication, what this does is it essentially turns your smartphone into a third layer of security. This usually requires a code that is sent to your phone or via an app called authenticator.
My Account Page > Privacy Checkup
According to reports on new technology 2015, since Google tried with useless abandon to turn Google+ into a hub for user data, most of the information here will be tied to Google+. And while Google is backed off from the use of Google+ the info is still there. Users can access their Google+ profile and limit the amount of information which is shared on the service. Turning it off on your PC will not be enough, you will also have to do the same with each Google+ app on both Android and iOS devices. While you’re at it you might also want to go to the ‘Shared Endorsements’ tab and click on the box to take your name out an endorser for ads on Google.
Your Account History
If you use the internet, chances are, you use Google’s Chrome browser. You may not know this but, Google is tracking whatever you do, where you have been and possibly, where you will be going with its search engine. You can go on the ‘Web and App Activity’ page to find out what you’ve been searching for in the past and the things you have been searching for the most. Here you will also find another section for your voice searches as well. You can delete the entries you do not want stored from here.
Bottom Line
When it comes to online privacy, especially on Google, it is the user’s duty to make sure that the search engine is not doing anything it isn’t supposed to.
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