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Signing in with your Google account across different services means that many sites and apps will have access to your account information. Since this is inherently risky, take these precautions to prevent potential problems and protect your privacy.
5Only Use Websites You 100% Trust
The easiest way to ensure that malicious people can’t access your Google account is by only using trustworthy websites. You should be fine if you’re using a service with a strong reputation for privacy and is well-established. For example, I sign into apps like Notion with my Google account because it’s a well-known and well-respected site.
However, Iadvise against signing in with Googleon new, potentially untrusted websites. You don’t have any guarantee that they’ll be around for the long run, and if these sites aren’t successful, they probably won’t receive new updates. As a result, you’ll be more vulnerable to security risks.
4Set Up Multifactor Authentication
I have always used multifactor authentication (MFA), and I suggest setting up MFA on your Google account. While I used Google Authenticator, Microsoft’s equivalent, Microsoft Authenticator, is also widely recommended. you’re able to even use password managers for 2FA, one of the manypractical uses for a password managerbeyond storing your login details.
3Set Strong, Unique Passwords for Your Google Account
Even with MFA enabled, you should not use weak or repeated passwords. And with so many password-generation tools available these days, you have no excuses (it’s less time-consuming to create a strong password than to copy and paste your old one).
I normally use the Passwords app since I own Apple devices, but1PasswordandBitwardenare both options worth considering.
2Create Multiple Google Accounts
Consider creating multiple profiles if you’re particularly concerned about your Google accounts being used across multiple websites. For example, I have some personal accounts and some for work. Doing so spreads the risk more effectively, and I can also set proper boundaries with the services I use.
You can access all your Google accounts from the same page when logging in to an app or service. So, you don’t even need to worry about remembering multiple passwords. If needed, you canchange the default Google accountonce you’ve signed up with numerous profiles.
1Revoke Access
Another simple way to lower the risk of signing in with your Google account is to revoke access when you no longer use an app or service. I recommend doing this for both new tools that have become defunct and established platforms that no longer serve you.
