In today’s digital world, whether you’re checking emails, organizing family photos, shopping, or enjoying your favorite shows, secure access to your online accounts is crucial. At Google, we believe that maintaining online safety should not be a burden. This is why we have consistently invested in developing tools that make your online experience accessible to you and those you trust, while safeguarding your data from unauthorized access.
In honor of World Password Day, it’s an opportune time to highlight five Google tools and tips that will enhance the security and ease of accessing your Google Account and the associated applications.
Sign in more quickly with passkeys
Passkeys offer a simpler and more secure method for accessing online accounts compared to traditional passwords and even conventional multi-factor authentication methods like one-time passwords. We introduced passkeys for Google Accounts on World Password Day in 2023, and since then, many websites and applications have adopted them. With passkeys, you can log into your Google Account using your device’s screen lock—such as a fingerprint, facial recognition, or PIN—making the sign-in process as effortless as unlocking your device. They are also the most secure sign-in option since they cannot be guessed or reused by others. Furthermore, your biometric data, such as fingerprints or facial scans, remains on your device and is never transmitted to Google.
Enable 2-Step Verification for additional protection
Even if you typically use a passkey, it is vital to enhance your account’s security with 2-Step Verification (2SV). This feature provides multi-factor protection in case someone attempts to impersonate you by claiming they have lost your passkey.
Reaccess your Google account with assistance from a friend or family member
Lost your phone but need to log into your Google Account? Recovery Contacts can assist. It allows you to select someone you trust to help verify your identity if you find yourself locked out of your account. Google will send your chosen contact a prompt or an email to facilitate your sign-in. This method is a straightforward and secure way to regain access to your account when other recovery methods are unavailable. You can designate up to 10 recovery contacts for your account. Your recovery contacts will never have access to your account or your personal information.
Use Google to streamline sign-ins and enhance security
Rather than creating and remembering a new username and password when signing into a new app or shopping website, you can simply click “Sign in with Google” to quickly and easily log in using your Google Account. Signing in with Google helps minimize the number of passwords you need to remember across various apps and services, which can reduce your risk if another platform suffers a security breach. You maintain control over your connections and can review and revoke app access whenever you choose.
Allow Google Password Manager to generate (and store) robust passwords — and passkeys
If a website does not support Sign-in with Google, or if you prefer not to use it for any reason, you can still depend on Google’s security expertise to keep your sign-ins straightforward and secure. Google Password Manager can assist in creating, saving, and managing your passwords and passkeys for all your other accounts. It securely stores and synchronizes your passwords and passkeys across devices, automatically filling them in the next time you need to log in.
Utilize one of these tools — or implement all five. A few quick adjustments you make today can help ensure your sign-ins are secure and your accounts remain accessible over time.
