Google has just rolled out a revamped version of its longtime Security Checkup feature - a service that helps users make sure their Google accounts are safe by checking those items that could impact the account's security. This includes connected apps, connected devices, account permissions and other things. Now, Security Checkup will be improved by offering more personalized suggestions, says Google.
Before, the Security Checkup would offer the same, passive checklist for everyone - meaning users would have to go through each suggestion to make sure their account was safe, even if not all items would have impacted on them. With the new version of Security Checkup, the guide is tailored to each user with personal recommendations about what to fix.
For example, users might be informed that some of the third-party apps connected to their Google account are not secure, and given the option to remove them. Or they may be prompted to remove their account for older devices, or set up additional account verification methods.
The Checkup page will also, at a glance, give users an idea about the overall health of their account by flagging the Security Checkup shield with either a green checkmark (if things are good) or yellow or red exclamation point, based on how many items need to be taken care of.
None of the suggestions in Security Checkup are new to the service, to be clear - the difference is in the personalization and how the information is presented.
Users may be surprised by some of Security Checkup's results, which can be at times overly alarming. For instance, it may suggest that they are using apps that have "extensive access" to their personal information and had not been verified by Google. This included services they had been using as add-ons to their Gmail, like Boomerang's smart calendar assistant, Clearbit Connect'semail address finder, and Evercontact's automatic address book updater.
While it's true that these add-ons do require heightened access to Google's services to work, they're from reputable enough companies and provide features that improve the Gmail experience. It could be frustrating to find that they're all flagged as being from an "unverified" developer - generally, a cause for concern. There's no way to whitelist them, either, so users will never get the green checkmark if they decide to keep them installed.
Before, the Security Checkup would offer the same, passive checklist for everyone - meaning users would have to go through each suggestion to make sure their account was safe, even if not all items would have impacted on them. With the new version of Security Checkup, the guide is tailored to each user with personal recommendations about what to fix.
For example, users might be informed that some of the third-party apps connected to their Google account are not secure, and given the option to remove them. Or they may be prompted to remove their account for older devices, or set up additional account verification methods.
The Checkup page will also, at a glance, give users an idea about the overall health of their account by flagging the Security Checkup shield with either a green checkmark (if things are good) or yellow or red exclamation point, based on how many items need to be taken care of.
None of the suggestions in Security Checkup are new to the service, to be clear - the difference is in the personalization and how the information is presented.
Users may be surprised by some of Security Checkup's results, which can be at times overly alarming. For instance, it may suggest that they are using apps that have "extensive access" to their personal information and had not been verified by Google. This included services they had been using as add-ons to their Gmail, like Boomerang's smart calendar assistant, Clearbit Connect'semail address finder, and Evercontact's automatic address book updater.
While it's true that these add-ons do require heightened access to Google's services to work, they're from reputable enough companies and provide features that improve the Gmail experience. It could be frustrating to find that they're all flagged as being from an "unverified" developer - generally, a cause for concern. There's no way to whitelist them, either, so users will never get the green checkmark if they decide to keep them installed.
No comments:
Post a Comment