When Google first began sending out security alerts, it did it via email. Those emails were dense with technical information, contained six links, and didn’t tell you what to do next. All of that changed in 2015 when Google began sending out push notifications for major security vulnerabilities. The language in these push alerts was sharper, and there was only one link, but they received 20 times the number of responses as the preceding emails. Users can now expect security alerts to arrive in the mail numerous times each day, and they are frequently helpful and instructive.
The Advantages of Receiving a Security Alert
If you’ve ever been disturbed by Google’s obnoxious security notifications, you’ll know that you can always turn them off. But have you ever wondered why these notifications are sent? Customers who receive Google security alerts are notified whenever they observe any questionable behavior on their accounts. These alerts may be produced by factors such as leaked passwords, untrustworthy sign-in information, or a lack of security safeguards. While you may sometimes delete these notifications, they are helpful to have and can keep your account safe.
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A Google security alert will also advise you of updates to your browser and other software. While you may be interested in these updates, they aren’t as important as you would assume. If you’re concerned about hackers, you can try to avoid clicking on these alerts entirely by locking your screens while you’re not using them. Another important piece of advice for keeping your account secure is to always use the most recent version of your operating system and browser. Also, remember to maintain your password management system up to date.
A Google security alert will also notify you whenever new device logs into your Gmail account. Google can identify new devices based on a different IP address and attempt to confirm that it is you. This notification will also notify you if a new device has logged in from a work computer. It’s important to note that these security warnings can occur as a result of browsing over a VPN or proxy server. The VPN server alters your IP address, allowing Google to recognize the new device as such.
How to Spot a Fake Alert
You’ve most likely gotten an email from an unknown source and are wondering if it’s a bogus Google security alert. If you receive an unwanted email from a source you don’t know, double-check it for spelling and grammatical problems. The email is most likely a forgery and not from Google. In this scenario, delete the email without opening any attachments.
If you receive a Google security alert, the message might be from adware or a potentially unwanted program, or it could be from someone attempting to gain access to your Google account. To avoid this, run a safe antivirus package on your computer and reset your Google password. Use a password manager if you can’t remember it. A password manager can also help you protect your account from brute-force attacks.
