How to protect your Google Account with the Advanced Protection Program

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  • Google Advanced Protection Program

    Google Advanced Protection Program

    To learn more about Google Advanced Protection Program, as well as to kick off the activation process, head over to https://landing.google.com/advancedprotection/.

    The process takes about 15 minutes (assuming you already have the hardware, if not, you'll need to wait for them to arrive) so this isn't something to do when you're in a rush, on a deadline, or heading out the door on a business trip. You will also need to log in with all your devices as the process will revoke access to your accounts for all your devices.

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

  • You will need two hardware keys

    You will need two hardware keys

    You will need one wireless Bluetooth key, and a second USB backup key. I recommend buying the pack that Google offers. While you can use USB authentication keys for the process, you won't be able to use them to log into your account with mobile devices, which means that you will run into all sorts of headaches.

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

  • Get the hardware you need

    Get the hardware you need

    Google offers you a link to buy the hardware you need. If the pack is sold out (as it was in the UK at the time of writing), you can usually still find the two keys sold separately.

    Once you have the keys, you're ready to begin.

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

  • First, log in with your username and password

    First, log in with your username and password

    This is to prove to Google that you are indeed you.

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

  • Register the two security keys

    Register the two security keys

    Now you need to go through the process of registering the two security keys.

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

  • Get your first security key ready

    Get your first security key ready

    The process of registering the keys is simple enough and you'll be guided through each step.

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

  • Almost done...

    Almost done...

    Just follow the on-screen prompts.

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

  • Give the key a name

    Give the key a name

    The name is just so you know which was used to log into your account. Give it something memorable.

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

  • That's one key done

    That's one key done

    That process only took seconds. Now onto the second key.

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

  • This is the same as for the first key

    This is the same as for the first key

    First, get it ready...

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

  • Registering the second key

    Registering the second key

    ... plug it in and tap the button on it ... 

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

  • Almost done

    Almost done

    Finally, give it a name.

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

  • That's the security hardware registered

    That's the security hardware registered

    The process of registering the security keys should only take you a couple of minutes. 

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

  • Turn on Advanced Protection

    Turn on Advanced Protection

    Are you sure you want to turn on Advanced Protection? You can still back out at this stage.

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

  • Read through all the small print

    Read through all the small print

    Before clicking on that "Turn On" button, I suggest that you read, and then reread what activating it entails. Remember, you'll be logged out of your account on all your devices and you'll need to go through the process of logging back in everywhere.

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

  • Last chance!

    Last chance!

    Even after clicking 'Turn On," you get one final chance to abort the process. 

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

  • And you're done

    And you're done

    And you're done! Well, not exactly, because you need to log back into your account on all your other devices. But you now have all the benefits of Google's Advanced Protection Program securing your account. 

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

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If you want to beef up the security on your Google Account, then the Advanced Protection Program those at risk of targeted attacks – such as journalists, activists, business leaders, and political campaign teams – is for you. Here's how to enable the Google Advanced Protection Program.

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Google Advanced Protection Program

To learn more about Google Advanced Protection Program, as well as to kick off the activation process, head over to https://landing.google.com/advancedprotection/.

The process takes about 15 minutes (assuming you already have the hardware, if not, you'll need to wait for them to arrive) so this isn't something to do when you're in a rush, on a deadline, or heading out the door on a business trip. You will also need to log in with all your devices as the process will revoke access to your accounts for all your devices.

Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

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