Google is committed to constantly making the Internet a better and safer place for everyone.
Whether it is Google Play Protect, που ελέγχει αυτόματα εφαρμογές για να είναι ασφαλή τα δεδομένα και οι συσκευές μας, είτε για τη μηχανική learning which detects harmful content on YouTube, or the privacy control tools in My Account that allow users to manage their data, Google wants users to feel safe as they browse its services.
However, user protection is not limited to products, which is why Google works closely with the entire market to share technologies such as Safe Browsing, which protects more than half of the world's population from dangerous websites. In addition, it maintains partnerships to establish established trustworthiness standards on behalf of publishers for use in articles that help users assess the trustworthiness of the information they read.
To mark Safer Internet Day - an opportunity to discuss Internet safety - Google is recalling the new tools it introduced in recent months, providing additional online protection, and is committed to continuing to improve those tools that help secure personal user data.
Personalized solutions for the user - the new Security Check
Google recently unveiled a new version of the Security Control Service, which now provides personalized instructions to help users improve their account security. Instead of the same checklist for everyone, the Security Test is now a personalized guide to securing user data, acting as a personal security advisor.
The Security Scan provides a clear security situation and personalized recommendations to enhance account security
When users visit the Security Test, they will automatically be informed of their security status: a green teak shows that everything is OK, while the yellow or red exclamation mark means there is at least one problem to solve.
The new version of the Security Audit Service will continue to be upgraded as new threats emerge. Users will therefore be able to rely on this to get relevant and up-to-date security tips to keep their online account safe. The New Security Check is located here: g.co/securitycheckup..
Google's most powerful security at the disposal of those who really need it
When someone works at Google level, they are trying to build products that cater to the needs of billions of people. But as far as online security is concerned, Google is well aware that users' needs vary.
For this reason, in October, Google introduced the Advanced Protection Program, which offers the highest level of security. Anyone can use Advanced Protection, but its design is especially relevant to those at high risk of attack and is willing to sacrifice their comfort slightly to enjoy greater protection of their personal accounts on Google.
Examples of this category of users might be those working on election campaigns, journalists who need to protect the confidentiality of their sources, or people who have been victims of violent behavior and are seeking safety. Sometimes, even the most cautious and security-savvy users are successfully targeted by phishing scams, especially if they target that user individually.
When a user signs up for the Advanced Protection program, Google will now provide them with continuous updates to their online account security to address emerging threats - meaning that the Advanced Protection program will always use the strongest protection capabilities offered by Google.
Initially, the program focuses on 3 core defenses.
• The strongest defense against "phishing": Advanced Protection requires the use of Security Keys by the user to log in to his / her account. Security Keys are small USB or wireless devices and have long been seen as the safest version of verification in 2 steps and the best protection against "electronic fishing". An attacker that does not have a user's security key is automatically blocked, even if it has its password.
• Protecting the most sensitive data from occasional sharing
Occasionally, users accidentally access their Google data into malicious applications. Advanced Protect prevents this phenomenon by automatically limiting the user's full access to Gmail and Drive in specific applications. At this time, these will only be Google apps, but they are expected to expand in the future
• Blocking Malicious Access Accounts: Another common way hackers try to access users' account is to pretend that they are themselves the users who have "locked" access to their account. With the Advanced Protection Program, additional steps will be required to prevent this phenomenon.
Anyone with a personal Google Account can sign up for Advanced Protection. The program is compatible with Android and iOS, but users should use Chrome to sign up as it supports the U2F Security Keys standard. Expect other browsers to integrate it soon.
For now, the Advanced Protection program is only available for personal Google accounts. In order to provide comparable protection capabilities to G Suite Accounts, G Suite administrators can become familiar with Security Key Enforcement and OAuth apps whitelisting
Sign up for the Advanced Protection Program here: g.co/advancedprotection
