Gmail Security Checklist – 5 Great Gmail Security Tips and Tricks

Without doubt, Gmail is the most popular and widely used email service all across the world today and maybe even of all time. Almost anyone who has Internet access has a functional email account, and more likely than not, an active Gmail account. Some of the features and services that Gmail and its integrated Google features offer are what make Gmail so widely accepted, used and loved. Moreover, it is as simple and user-friendly as an email service can get.

gmail-logo-34666

There are many security features that Google and Gmail offer its millions of users across the world, but when it comes to email security and malicious attachments, no amount of security is ever enough. Dangerous emails are a common source of malicious content and online scams, so here are some security tips for all Gmail users to keep in mind.

Best Gmail Security Tips for Email Account Holders

Gmail Tip # 1 – Use 2-step verification

2-step verification is perhaps one of the best methods to stay safe against password loss and unauthorized access into your Gmail account. As per this method, a one-time password (OTP) is sent to your phone for verification so that you can access your account. Hence, the term ‘2-step’. It also involves something you know (your password) and something you own (your phone) to gain access. In order to setup 2-step verification for your account, simply visit this link.

2-step verification gmail

Gmail Tip # 2 – Use HTTPS enabled security

Gmail always has HTTPS enabled by default, but it is advisable to check this from time to time. This is especially useful if you are accessing your Gmail account through a public network or a new and untrusted network. HTTPS is a security protocol that all online services provide to enable better security and tougher to crack access protocols. To check if HTTPS is enabled while you are signed in, look for the padlock symbol and the ‘https’ text in the address bar.

https verification

Gmail Tip # 3 – Use granted account access

Gmail provides the ability to grant access to an account to any other email address specified. If a hacker breaks into an account, this is something he will do to make logging into the account in the future a whole lot easier. You should regularly check that no accounts have been granted access without your permission. To do so, go to the gear in the top-right corner of your Gmail account once you sign in, click on ‘Settings’, then click on ‘Accounts and Import’ and then see the ‘Grant access to your account section‘ for details. Also ensure that you check the ‘Mark conversation as read when opened by others’ option.

grant account access

Gmail Tip # 4 – Use account activity monitors

It is also possible for you to see when and where your Gmail has been accessed with ease. This ‘Activity Information Panel’ allows account holders to view many details with regards to their account access and report or take action if they notice something suspicious or out of the ordinary. To access this, sign into your account and look for the ‘Last account activity’ information at the bottom right corner when you scroll all the way down. Click on ‘Details’ in order to see a detailed list of account activity from where you can see access type (web browser or mobile), location (IP address) and the date/time details.

Gmail Tip # 5 – Use effective antispam services

When it comes to securing your PC and staying safeguarded against malicious emails, phishing links and other email scams, an effective email security suite and antispam engine is crucial. Quick Heal Internet Security provides advanced cloud-based email security that actively stops spam, phishing and infected emails from reaching your inbox. Moreover, other features keep your PC safe and secure even if other malicious threats enter your system. For complete email protection, trust only Quick Heal.

If you have any further Gmail security tips to share, we would love to hear from you.

Rahul Thadani

Rahul Thadani


63 Comments

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  1. Avatar Partha ChatterjeeJuly 11, 2014 at 6:01 PM

    I love to read quick hill tips,

    Reply
  2. Avatar Rajbahadur ubaJuly 11, 2014 at 8:36 PM

    I found these tips very usefull….

    Expecting more nice security related tips from your TEAM in future….

    All the Very Best to Quickheal TEAM

    Reply
  3. Avatar surya narayan dasJuly 11, 2014 at 8:59 PM

    I have quickheal total security.could it provide me what type of internet security ? could it protect my computer from spams,phising and infected files ? plz reply……

    Reply
    • Rahul Thadani Rahul ThadaniJuly 15, 2014 at 10:15 AM

      Hi Surya,

      Quick Heal Total Security has a feature known as Web Security which provides real-time cloud-based antivirus protection against infected sites and malware. Email Security protects against spam and phishing emails. Advanced DNAScan detects suspicious behavior of undetected viruses as well and raises an alert. And there are several more features of this product that you can make full use of. Do let us know if you have any further questions.

      Best regards.

      Reply
  4. Avatar arihant gotmareJuly 11, 2014 at 10:20 PM

    THANKS QUICKHEAL EXPERTS……….Your daily hardwork and eagersness about new things will always show us the right path with respect to the security………….

    Reply
  5. Avatar Pradip NathJuly 11, 2014 at 11:04 PM

    Got enriched going through your G-mail security tips.Thanks a lot.

    Reply
  6. Avatar Tess SmithJuly 12, 2014 at 3:08 AM

    Very helpful and informative info, thanks for this, I will use this with my account from now on,

    Cheers

    Reply
  7. i am unable to locate :-

    Gmail Tip # 3 – Use granted account access

    please advice what to do ?

    Thanks

    Reply
    • Rahul Thadani Rahul ThadaniJuly 15, 2014 at 10:17 AM

      Hi,

      The Gear icon is in the top-right corner just under the sign out button. Once you click on that, please click on Settings -> Accounts and Import -> and then you will find the Grant access to your account option.

      Thanks.

      Reply
  8. Avatar Prashant Kumar MishraJuly 12, 2014 at 7:35 AM

    Thank u for such an important information …..

    Reply
  9. Avatar C.A. Umesh acharyaJuly 12, 2014 at 8:12 AM

    Excellent tips in very simple but effective for all users
    congratulations

    Reply
  10. Avatar sadeep singhJuly 12, 2014 at 9:31 AM

    Hi

    most use fully

    Reply
  11. Avatar GoutamBiswasJuly 12, 2014 at 10:09 AM

    THANKS QUICKHEAL

    Reply
  12. Avatar Ajinkya HingneJuly 12, 2014 at 10:31 AM

    Thanks for these tips!!! 🙂

    Another tip:

    Use two different email accounts for
    (1) Social networking sites / Any of the site which is risky.
    (2) Account for banking / Confidential information.

    Applicable when you need to give your email id for using any of the services from different providers.

    Sir, also share about ProtonMail. What do you think about this newly introduced mail service which uses end-to-end encryption?

    Reply
    • Rahul Thadani Rahul ThadaniJuly 15, 2014 at 10:27 AM

      Hi Ajinkya,

      Thank you for your additional tips. They are definitely advisable and should be followed by people.

      Regarding ProtonMail, the idea and the philosophy behind the service is noble. Privacy over there is certainly not an issue. However, they have recently run into government trouble regarding their ‘legality’. We assume this is a battle that will take some time to resolve. In the meantime, we advise you to use it at your own risk. Honestly, you could one day find that ProtonMail no longer exists and all your conversations and emails over it are gone. So please use your own discretion but after reading some news and info about ProtonMail first.

      Best regards.

      Reply
  13. Avatar chandar ChoudharyJuly 12, 2014 at 1:09 PM

    Very Important information and help full tip. thank’s
    chandar Choudhary

    Reply
  14. Avatar Subir Kumar RoyJuly 12, 2014 at 2:55 PM

    Please inform this type of important message time to time.

    Reply
  15. Avatar Kamal NayanJuly 12, 2014 at 3:30 PM

    Thanks a lot Sir for this precious information.

    Reply
  16. Avatar anil tambeJuly 12, 2014 at 7:54 PM

    thank you for the tips. they are really helpful.
    I have a doubt. as u said in your tip#2 about the https security protocol. if I open any website like facebook or youtube, its the green coloured https as you said. but only when I open my gmail account, its like https written but with a orange coloured triangle in front of it. and once I click on it, it says ” this page contains other resources which are not secured “.
    is this a security threat ?? how can I correct it ???

    Reply
    • Rahul Thadani Rahul ThadaniJuly 14, 2014 at 11:08 AM

      Hi Anil,

      Ideally, all Google services display the green padlock when everything is secure. The fact that your browser shows an orange triangle is suspicious. We suggest you run a full system scan and remove all plug-ins from your browser and also change your Google password and then see if the issue persists.

      Thanks.

      Reply
  17. Avatar PRABHUDAS BEESAMJuly 13, 2014 at 9:17 AM

    Thanks a lot Sir for this precious information.das

    Reply
  18. Avatar JAYDIP MUKHOPADHYAYJuly 13, 2014 at 9:58 AM

    Thanks.Since long Using gmail with all measures but is it helpful for using same a/c through desktop/lap & mobile.

    Reply
  19. Avatar Dr. Bhavesh BharadJuly 13, 2014 at 10:08 AM

    It’s Very Useful tips for all.
    Thanks.

    Reply
  20. Avatar Jayanta SinhaJuly 13, 2014 at 11:47 AM

    Thanks.

    Reply
  21. Avatar chakradharJuly 13, 2014 at 1:24 PM

    Thanks

    Reply
  22. Avatar R.K.GoyalJuly 13, 2014 at 2:10 PM

    thank you for providing such important information.

    Reply
  23. Avatar AMIT SATVEKARJuly 13, 2014 at 5:39 PM

    Quickheal tips are very informative for safe internet surfing.
    Thanks to Quickheal team.

    Reply
  24. Avatar Shantanu C RaoJuly 13, 2014 at 7:59 PM

    Its a Essential tips & Information shared..The Systems is fully packed with Quick heal Virus…

    Reply
  25. I love to read quick hill tips,

    Reply
  26. Avatar sajjan kumar kejriwalJuly 14, 2014 at 6:17 AM

    thanks for the usefull tips.
    please help me in stoping marketing adds. I had been harashed

    Reply
    • Rahul Thadani Rahul ThadaniJuly 14, 2014 at 10:46 AM

      Hi Sajjan,

      Thank you for the appreciation and feedback. Can you please share more details about the issue that you are facing?

      Best regards.

      Reply
  27. I like the quick heal tips and I read them regularly

    Reply
  28. Avatar zahid khanJuly 14, 2014 at 6:30 PM

    thanks

    Reply
  29. Avatar Bipin DeshmukhJuly 14, 2014 at 8:23 PM

    Very Useful Tips ! helps a lot to lay-person in computers like me.
    Bipin Deshmukh

    Reply
  30. Avatar Amit MukhiJuly 14, 2014 at 10:33 PM

    my favorate antivirus

    Reply
  31. Avatar Amit MukhiJuly 14, 2014 at 10:38 PM

    my favorite antivirus quick hill and guardian

    Reply
  32. Avatar TAPAS CHANDRAJuly 14, 2014 at 10:56 PM

    Helpful. Thanks to Quick Heal.

    Reply
  33. Avatar siddharajJuly 15, 2014 at 4:08 PM

    thxs 4 info

    Reply
  34. Avatar Aurobindo GhoseJuly 15, 2014 at 4:59 PM

    Dear Sir,
    When I use ANTI MALWARE following is happening,
    1)it is showing some list with “Low level threat”, and asking confirmation for cleaning.
    2) After clicking “Clean” button it showing cleaned successfully.
    3) Then I’ve tried using ANTI MALWARE again, it is again showing same file list with same threat level, it is actually not removing the MALWAREs kindly help.
    Thanks & Regards,
    Aurobindo

    Reply
    • Rahul Thadani Rahul ThadaniJuly 16, 2014 at 9:56 AM

      Hi Aurobindo,

      To resolve this can we request you to contact our support center? They will be able to provide best guidance for this issue and will help you out. They can be reached at 0-927-22-33-000 or you can also submit a ticket by visiting this link – https://www.quickheal.com/submitticket.asp.

      Best regards/

      Reply
  35. Avatar vinoth jegatheeswaranJuly 15, 2014 at 8:53 PM

    Thanks for Quick Heal. Its really helpful to me…

    Reply
  36. Avatar Bharat DarjiJuly 15, 2014 at 11:44 PM

    Sir,

    I am using Quick heal total security

    I face following problem

    When I open any website, on every page I found Ad by movie mode

    Is it virus ? How can I Remove it ?

    Please guide me.

    Thanks

    Reply
    • Rahul Thadani Rahul ThadaniJuly 16, 2014 at 9:55 AM

      Hi Bharat,

      This might just be a regular ad, like so many other ads that show up on screens while browsing. You can run a full system scan through your Quick Heal product to ensure that there is no virus or malware present on the machine.

      Best regards.

      Reply
  37. Avatar Fakir MuduliJuly 16, 2014 at 11:15 PM

    Thanks for this

    Reply
  38. Avatar satpal kesarJuly 17, 2014 at 9:31 AM

    i forgot my quick heal total security password so i m unable to access some feature of quick heal. please provide me info how to how recover it.

    Reply
    • Rahul Thadani Rahul ThadaniJuly 17, 2014 at 10:18 AM

      Hi Satpal,

      When you click on Settings in your Quick Heal dashboard, you will get a prompt to enter the password. There is a forgot password option at the bottom of this window itself. That option will help you retrieve your password. Please note, this will only work if you have a registered version of Quick Heal.

      Best regards.

      Reply
  39. Avatar Harbinder singhJuly 17, 2014 at 9:31 AM

    Thanks to quick heal.I use it every time.

    Reply
  40. Avatar Harbinder singhJuly 17, 2014 at 9:33 AM

    I like heal.

    Reply
  41. Avatar Sunil SutradharJuly 17, 2014 at 12:03 PM

    We can simple turst on quickheal anti virus software, but its useful is unbleavele.

    Reply
  42. Avatar BIMAN KARJuly 17, 2014 at 2:41 PM

    Great tips.. Could you have a system of sending alerts/renewal messages/ schemes / or tips to the registered mobile of the user. A desktop pc / laptop may not be used or accessed everyday – a mobile is…

    Could you incorporate a speed meter facility in your dashboard – to check on speed of downloads. This in turn would help monitor the health and functional efficiency of the system.

    How do I check on the quantum of downloads effected during a specific period?

    Thanks…

    Reply
  43. Avatar PrashastiJuly 18, 2014 at 2:55 PM

    really helpful tips Thanks Quick Heal

    Reply
  44. plz.tell me in difference between free quickheal Internet security and paid quickheal totel security. and what is better.

    Reply
  45. Avatar sreejith.sJuly 19, 2014 at 11:14 PM

    sir,
    activation denined message shown.during registration.
    why?

    Reply
  46. Avatar land samitiJuly 20, 2014 at 12:13 PM

    I like it…………..

    Reply
  47. Avatar subhash bishnoiJuly 20, 2014 at 12:13 PM

    it is best app than any other security app
    I give it 100 point

    Reply
  48. Avatar SHASHIKANT WAGHAugust 24, 2014 at 11:54 AM

    up date not work

    Reply
  49. Avatar umesh chadhaJanuary 15, 2015 at 9:00 AM

    Thanks for the information you provide from time to time.

    Reply
  50. Thanks for you

    Reply
  51. hi i want to see my old emails where can i find them and where can i find my new emails please help me.

    Reply
    • Rajiv Singha Rajiv SinghaAugust 20, 2015 at 7:06 PM

      Hi Meghana,

      In Gmail, at the bottom-right corner, you have an option to view older emails. Please try to use this feature.

      Regards,

      Reply