The Importance of Gmail Security: Gmail is a primary means of communication and, therefore, a primary target for hackers. The sheer volume of users means that if a hacker can compromise one account, they can usually access that user's personal and financial details. Knowing how to use bad actor monitoring will help you protect yourself!

Check Google Security Notifications: If someone else accesses Gmail while logged on, and the device or location does not appear to be yours, you might receive security notifications from Google. Make sure to check these notifications as soon as possible. 

Check Gmail Sign-in Activity: Go to Google Account > Security > Your Devices. You'll see which registered devices are logged into your Gmail, and this information will identify some of the suspicious signs."For a deeper investigation into potential security issues, you need to combine it with other tools within your Google Account.

"Last Account Activity" tool: At the bottom of Gmail, click 'Details' where it says "Last account activity" to see your most recent sign-in activity - sign-in addresses and times. When you click the small 'Details' link at the bottom of the Gmail page on a desktop web browser, a pop-up window reveals your "Activity on this account".

Signs of a Hack: Password Reset emails: If you receive emails about password resets for your account that you did not personally request, it’s likely that someone is trying to target your Gmail account. This tactic is a common part of many hacking attempts; however, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the hacker has successfully accessed your account yet.

Connected Apps & Permissions: When you navigate to Google Account > Security > Third-party apps, you can see all of the apps connected to the account.4 You can also remove any fraudulent, old, or unwanted apps. Although many of the apps are legitimate, some may be fraudulent, and others may have outdated security. 

Complete a Google Security Checkup: Google has a Security Checkup that examines your account in real-time for vulnerabilities and proposes corrections. It goes beyond a simple scan by acting as a guided walkthrough of your security settings, identifying potential issues, and suggesting improvements.

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