In a world where emails rain like confetti and passwords are harder to remember than your high school locker combination, safeguarding your Gmail account is as essential as making sure your house plants get sunlight. It’s not just about setting a strong password (although that helps); it’s also about being smart with your recovery options.
Setting an old email address or phone number as your recovery options is going to bite you where it hurts most should your gmail account ever require a password reset.
If you do need to recover your account or forget the password these steps are essential because calling a gmail help desk is not an option.
The first thing to do, while you still have a functioning and a recorded gmail password, is to download another google app on another device.
Pick your iPhone or iPad and download the YouTube app or the Gmail app. Once downloaded sign into these with your google account (gmail address and password) and then, especially in the case of google’s Gmail app, forget it exists. Accessing your gmail email using the built in Apple Mail app is much better but this odious little app will be vital if and when disaster strikes.
Now, open Safari or Firefox and navigate to gmail.com and, if prompted, login to your gmail email.
When open, click on icon that looks like 9 little dots and click on the account icon.
At the top of the window, click on the Security option.
Scroll down the page until you get to How to Sign in to Google
First on the list is Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) – The Super Shield: If not already activated enable 2FA right now, and add an extra layer of security. It’s like having a force field around your account. Even if someone cracks your password, they still need the second key to get in. And frankly, if this is off, its amazing your gmail account isn’t already being used by a Colombian drug lord already.
Next is a Recover phone option. Make sure this is activate and up to date phone number. There is no use in receiving access codes to a number to lost 5 years ago or to a friend who is now a mortal enemy.
Likewise, the Revert email section. Ensure this is turned on and up to date.
These are main ones you need to have turned on and/or up to date but there are other ones that can be used… not that I’ve ever seen them used. these are;
Secretive Secondary Emails: Think of your secondary email as your loyal sidekick. It’s there when your primary email gets into trouble. Make sure it’s an account you check regularly but keep it under the radar. This can be your iCloud account, or your never used bipod email or it can be the email address of a friend or family member.
Trusted Trusted Contacts: Adding a couple of trusted contacts can be your safety net. Think of them as the trusty sidekicks in your digital adventure, ready to swoop in and vouch for you.
Recovery Codes: The Golden Tickets: Recovery codes are your golden tickets to the Gmail factory. Print them, write them down, or store them somewhere safe. Just don’t eat them like the chocolate bar wrappers.
Security Questions: The Riddler’s Challenge: While security questions can be useful, treat them like a game of riddles. Choose questions that aren’t easily guessable but also aren’t easily forgettable. A good riddle should stump everyone but you.
While Gmail might not be the most private or, if you suffer the website, the prettiest of email services, it does have some advantages over the likes of bigpond and optusnet.
By following these recovery tips, you’ll ensure that no matter what, you’ll always have a way back into your digital domain.
Remember, it’s not just about securing your data; it’s about ensuring that peace of mind, knowing your Gmail account is as protected as Fort Knox.
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