{
  "id": 13091527,
  "title": "12 steps to smarter Google account security",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/12-steps-to-smarter-google-account-security",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-09T10:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Computerworld",
    "slug": "computerworld",
    "url": "https://www.computerworld.com/article/1615305/11-steps-to-smarter-google-account-security.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Securing your Google account is crucial, given the vast amount of personal data stored within. Start by reviewing your password. Avoid using easily guessable information, such as personal details or common words. Consider using a password manager to create strong, unique passwords. Next, enable two-factor authentication for an extra layer of security. This typically involves a code sent to your phone or generated by an app, in addition to your password. Update your account verification settings, ensuring your recovery phone number and email are current. Finally, take advantage of Google's selfie verification feature, which allows you to confirm your identity using a short video of yourself. This can be particularly useful if you encounter issues accessing your account. By following these steps, you'll significantly enhance the security of your Google account.",
  "summary": "There are important accounts to secure, and then there are important accounts to secure. Your Google account falls into that second category, maybe even with a couple of asterisks and some neon orange highlighting added in for good measure. I mean, really: When you stop and think about how much stuff is associated with that single sign-in — your email, your documents, your photos, your files,…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}