Gmail security tips

Follow the steps below to help keep your Gmail account secure. 

If you think someone has unauthorized access to your account, reset your password immediately.

Want to get more out of Google apps at work or school?  Sign up for a Google Workspace trial at no charge.

Step 1: Complete a security checkup

Start by visiting the Security Checkup page to do things like adding account recovery options, setting up 2-Step Verification for extra account security, and checking your account permissions.

Start my Security Checkup

Step 2: Follow these Gmail security tips

Choose a strong password

First, learn how to create a strong password.

Then, change your password.

  1. Visit the Sign in & security page.
  2. Tap Password.
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions.
Check your Gmail settings

There are a few settings you can check to make sure nobody else has access to your emails.

  1. Using a browser, open Gmail. You can't check these settings from the Gmail app.
  2. In the top right, tap Settings Settings and then See all settings.
  3. Tap the tabs below to check your settings.

General tab

  • Check your signature to make sure the text looks correct.
  • Check your vacation responder to make sure the text looks correct, and that it isn't turned on if you don't need it to be.

Accounts and Import tab

  • Check "Send mail as" to make sure all the email addresses listed belong to you.
  • Check "Grant access to your account" to see that no unknown people have access to your account.
  • Check "Check mail from other accounts (using POP3)" to make sure all the email addresses listed belong to you.

Filters and Blocked Addresses tab

  • Check to make sure mail isn't being automatically forwarded to an unknown account using a "Forward to" filter.
  • Check that any filters that automatically delete messages ("Delete it") were set up by you.

Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab

  • Check that your messages aren't being forwarded to an unknown account.
  • Verify that your POP or IMAP settings are correct.
Update the Gmail app

When you update your app, you get the latest security updates.

  1. Visit the Gmail app in the Google Play Store.
  2. Tap Update. If you only see "Open," you have the latest version.
Report scams, spam, and phishing

If you get a suspicious email that asks you for personal or financial information, don't reply or click on any links in the message.

Learn how to block unwanted emails or avoid and report scams.

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