Google has advised everyone with a Gmail account to follow a new “2-minute” rule and check who has access to their inboxes. The company is urging users to run a quick security review to spot any devices or applications that may have unauthorised access.
How to check your Gmail access
“When’s the last time you checked who (or what) has access to your Gmail inbox?” Google asked. “See who has access to your Gmail inbox in 2 minutes.”
The check is straightforward: users can perform a Google Security Checkup to see a list of every phone, tablet or PC that has access to their account. If anything looks suspicious, the “review devices” button allows users to sign out remotely.
Remove old app access and confirm recovery info
Google also recommends removing old third-party app access, which stops outdated applications from interacting with Gmail. Additionally, users should confirm their account recovery information in case they have trouble logging in. According to the tech firm, these steps take only a couple of minutes and help keep accounts secure.
Gmail and Chrome integration
This security advice follows another recent Google change bringing Gmail and Chrome closer together. The new feature will automatically pull information from users’ Gmail inboxes to complete website forms, saving people from searching through emails for details. For example, those booking a flight will no longer need to search for a ticket or booking reference when checking in or changing seats; clicking the relevant box on the airline’s website should display the information automatically.
The technology will work across a range of websites, including hotels, train operators and other travel services. “Filling out online forms can be tedious, especially when you have to switch between tabs or search through your inbox to track down information,” Google explained. “While autofill has always handled the basics — like your name, address, and credit card number — now it’s handling even more.”
The feature is currently rolling out to users in the US across desktop computers, Android and iOS devices. Google has not given an exact UK release date, but more countries are expected to get access in the coming months.
