Google’s new dashboard lets you check what devices are accessing your account. Screenshot: WIRED
Email hacking is a problem that won’t be going away any time soon. But if you’re diligent and take the proper precautions, you can significantly minimize the chances someone bad will be able to get into your account. Google wants to help too. The company has a new tool that lets you easily check when and where your account has been accessed over the last month to make sure nothing unusual is happening.
The Devices and Activity Dashboard lists what devices are connected to your Google Account, along with when and where they’ve been accessed. The list stays up to date for the past 28 days. If a new device recently began accessing your account, “New” is stationed in all caps next to the product listing. The device you’re currently using with your Google account is listed at the top.
If you notice something suspicious, like a new Mac accessing your account when you only own PCs, you can click “Secure your account” to change your password, update your recovery information, check app passwords and account permissions, or check your two-step verification settings. (If you don’t have two-step verification set up, now is a very good time to do so.)
In Gmail, you can also check recent account activity the old fashioned way. At the bottom right of your inbox or any open email, beneath “Last account activity” you can click “Details” to see when and where your account has been accessed. There, you can also sign out other active sessions besides the one you’re currently using.
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