Your Google Account is more than just an email address. It’s the key to your digital life, holding everything from personal photos and private documents to your saved passwords and location history. With so much sensitive information stored in one place, ensuring its security isn’t just a good idea—it’s essential. Yet, many people feel overwhelmed by the thought of digital security.
Fortunately, Google provides a simple, powerful tool designed to help you protect your account in just a few minutes: the Security Checkup. Think of it as an annual physical for your digital self. It walks you through personalized recommendations to strengthen your account’s defenses, find potential weak spots, and give you peace of mind.
This guide will demystify the Google Security Checkup. We will explain what each section means, why it’s important, and provide clear, step-by-step instructions so you can confidently secure your account.
What is the Google Security Checkup?
The Google Security Checkup is a centralized dashboard that provides a real-time overview of your account’s security status. It’s not just a list of settings; it’s an interactive tool that guides you through actionable steps. The goal is to make account protection accessible to everyone, regardless of their technical skill level.
Running the checkup helps you:
- Identify and remove old or unrecognized devices.
- Manage which third-party apps have access to your data.
- Review recent security events for suspicious activity.
- Strengthen your sign-in and recovery methods.
Performing this checkup regularly—at least every few months—is one of the most effective ways to prevent unauthorized access and protect your identity online.
How to Access the Security Checkup
Getting to the tool is the first and easiest step. You can access it from any device with a web browser.
- Open your browser and navigate to myaccount.google.com.
- If you aren’t already logged in, you will be prompted to enter your Google email and password.
- Once on your main account page, look for the Security Checkup card. It often has a blue or yellow shield icon. You can also click on the Security tab in the left-hand navigation menu and find the link there.
Once you click it, you will be taken to the main checkup page, which is broken down into several key sections. A green checkmark next to a section means Google has found no issues. A yellow or red exclamation mark indicates a recommended action.
A Step-by-Step Walkthrough of the Security Checkup
Let’s break down each category within the checkup tool so you know exactly what to look for and what actions to take.
1. Your Devices
This section shows every device—phones, tablets, computers, and smart TVs—that has been signed into your Google Account within the last 28 days or is currently signed in.
Why it’s important: This is your first line of defense for spotting unauthorized access. If you see a device listed that you don’t recognize, or one that you sold or gave away, it’s a potential security risk.
What to do:
- Review the list carefully. Pay attention to the device type, location, and the last time it was active.
- If you find a device you no longer use, click the three-dot menu next to it and select Sign out. This will remotely log your account out of that device.
- If you see a device you absolutely do not recognize, select Don’t recognize this device?. Google will immediately sign it out and guide you through changing your password, as your login credentials may have been compromised.
2. Recent Security Activity
This panel highlights significant security-related actions taken on your account in the last 28 days. This includes things like password changes, new device sign-ins, or updates to your recovery phone number.
Why it’s important: It serves as a logbook of critical changes. If you see an activity here that you did not perform, it’s a major red flag that someone else may have access to your account.
What to do:
- Scan the list for any actions you don’t remember taking.
- If anything looks suspicious, click on the event to see more details, such as the time, location, and device used.
- If you confirm the activity wasn’t you, select the option to secure your account. This will typically involve changing your password and reviewing your other settings.
3. Sign-in & Recovery
This is arguably the most critical part of the checkup. It covers how you log in and, more importantly, how you regain access if you’re ever locked out. It includes your password, 2-Step Verification settings, and recovery email/phone.
Why it’s important: A strong password and robust recovery options are the foundation of your account’s security. Without them, it becomes much easier for someone to take over your account permanently.
What to do:
- 2-Step Verification (2SV): If you see a yellow warning here, it likely means 2SV is not turned on. Click to enable it. This feature requires a second form of verification (like a code sent to your phone) in addition to your password, making it incredibly difficult for hackers to get in.
- Recovery phone and email: Make sure the phone number and email address listed here are current and accessible to you. These are used to contact you if there’s suspicious activity or if you forget your password.
- Password Checkup: Google has a separate, but linked, tool that checks your saved passwords against known data breaches. It also flags weak or reused passwords. Run this to ensure all your credentials are secure.
4. Third-Party Access
This section lists all the non-Google apps and services that you have granted permission to access parts of your Google Account. This could be anything from a calendar app that syncs with your Google Calendar to a game you signed into with your Google credentials.
Why it’s important: Over time, this list can grow long. Some of these apps you may no longer use, and each one represents a potential entry point for your data. A less-reputable app could misuse your information.
What to do:
- Review the list and ask yourself, “Do I still use this app? Do I trust it?”
- For any app or service you no longer need or recognize, click on it and select Remove Access.
- Be ruthless. It’s better to re-grant access to an app later if you need it than to leave dozens of old connections open.
Pro Tips for Maximum Google Account Security
Completing the checkup is a great achievement. To take your security to the next level, incorporate these habits into your digital routine.
- Schedule Your Checkups: Add a reminder to your calendar to run a Security Checkup every three to six months. Regular maintenance is key.
- Beware of Phishing: Be suspicious of emails or texts asking for your Google password. Google will never ask for your password in an email. Phishing scams are designed to trick you into giving away your login details.
- Use Strong, Unique Passwords: Never reuse your Google password on other websites. If one of those other sites is breached, hackers will try that password to get into your Google Account. Use a password manager to help create and store complex passwords.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How long does the Security Checkup take?
A: For most users, a thorough checkup takes less than five minutes. If you have many devices or third-party apps, it might take a bit longer, but it’s a small investment for significant peace of mind.
Q: What’s the difference between the Security Checkup and the Privacy Checkup?
A: The Security Checkup focuses on protecting your account from unauthorized access. The Privacy Checkup, on the other hand, helps you manage your data and control what information Google saves, such as your location history and web activity. Both are important for managing your digital footprint.
Q: Will Google notify me if there is a security issue?
A: Yes. Google will send a notification to your recovery email and phone if it detects a suspicious sign-in or a critical change to your account. This is why keeping your recovery information up to date is so vital.
Q: What if I share my account with a family member?
A: Sharing a Google Account is strongly discouraged as it makes security management difficult. It’s better to create separate accounts and use features like Google Family Link or shared albums and calendars to share content.
Conclusion
Your Google Account is a gateway to your most personal information. Protecting it doesn’t require a degree in cybersecurity, just a few minutes of your time and a willingness to be proactive. The Google Security Checkup is a user-friendly tool designed to empower you to take control.
By regularly reviewing your devices, managing app permissions, and ensuring your sign-in methods are strong, you build a digital fortress around your data. Take the time to run through the checkup today. It’s one of the simplest and most effective steps you can take to stay safe online.
