Protect your Google Account with Two-Step Verification

If someone hacks your Google account and figures out your password, you can prevent them from accessing your Google account using Google's 2-step verification.

If you set up 2-step verification, you have to log in to your account using your email and password, and then a generated code that is sent to your cell phone.  Most likely, if someone hacks your account, they won't have access to your cell phone, so your account will be safe.

Here are instructions on how to set up 2-step verification:

**I would only recommend doing this if you always have your cell phone with you.  You can also print out some codes that you can keep in your wallet in case you don't have access to your phone.  If you are using your own personal computer, you can make it so it doesn't ask you for the code each time you log in.

If someone does hack your account, and is able to gain access, the first thing you want to do is change your password.  To change your @seq.org password (for Google, SL, IC, etc.), go to this website.

Tips to Keep your Passwords Safe & Strong, and Remember Them Too!

Today is "Safer Internet Day", a day to promote safer and more responsible use of online technology and mobile devices.  I had been planning on writing up a tech tip on safe password use for this week, and just this morning found out it was Safer Internet Day.  Perfect Timing!

Over the last week, I have had more than a few people email me their usernames and passwords to different accounts.  So I wanted to address a few things about passwords.

1. Never, EVER, share password, especially over the internet or through your email.
2. Make sure your password is strong.  Many passwords I have seen (from people who have shared them with me - ACK! Don't do that - see number 1), have not been strong passwords.
3. Don't use the same password for all of your accounts.  Change them up, each account should have it's own unique password.
4. Keep your passwords safe, using something like Last Pass or mSecure.  
• You only need to remember your one password to get into the app, and it will keep track of all of the rest of your passwords for you.  
• Both are added apps or internet browser extensions that keep track of all of your passwords, and even generate strong passwords for you.
5. If you want to change your district password (for GAFE, School Loop, etc.) click here.

Google has a quick, 2 minute security checkup that you can do to check your internet security.  And, they are adding 2GB of data to your Google account if you do this checkup by February 17.  We have unlimited storage in our GAFE (@seq) Google accounts, but 2 GB would sure be a great addition to your personal Gmail account!