In honor of Safer Internet Day 2016, an effort by ConnectSafely.org, Google will give you 2GB of free storage space on Google drive if you secure your Google account. ConnectSafely.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating users of connected technology about safety, privacy, and security.
[Related: Congresswoman Jackson Lee, ICMCP on Need for Diversity in Cybersecurity]
Log in to your Google account and you will get prompted to complete a security checkup. This includes providing a phone number and alternate e-mail address from your Gmail account in case your account is breached or you forget your password.
The checkup will also show a list of devices used to access your account, and you can report any that are unfamiliar or look suspicious. It will also display a list of all apps and websites that have access to your account. You can remove anything unfamiliar here, as well.
The security check takes about two minutes to complete, Google’s team says they’ve timed it. Once completed, you will see the additional 2 GB of storage in your Google Drive.
ConnectSafely.org is hosting a live stream today from Universal Studios in Hollywood, of young people discussing ways to combat and reject online hate and cyberbullying. The group is also asking online users to take a family pledge for smart use of technology.