While hack attacks continue to evolve at a pace, driven partly by the latest developments in AI, one thing is constant: your email account remains firmly in the crosshairs. With an estimated active user base of 2 billion, it should come as no surprise that Gmail ranks high on the list of cyberattack targets. Online support groups are full of users asking for help in recovering their accounts after falling victim, and a newly published report of ongoing attacks confirms just one of the dangers they are facing.
But all is not lost; there’s one easy-to-use Google weapon that can be aimed at those threats and preempt most attacks. Here’s what you need to know and do, right now.
Gmail Is Under Attack—Don’t Become A Victim
A February 26 report published by the Daily Mail has warned of an ongoing attack that uses Google account recovery prompts to target Gmail users. You only have to check out the Gmail subreddit to realize that such threats are not only commonplace, albeit coming in a variety of attack scenarios, but also have a very real-world impact upon users. Of course, Gmail isn’t the only email service to be hit by threat actors of all flavors, but it is, as already explained, a primary target because of its global popularity.
So far in 2026, I have already reported on AI attackers targeting Gmail via Chrome browser extensions, and on millions of Gmail usernames and passwords exposed in an infostealer log dump. Nobody knows when the next story will break, but what I do know is that you can protect yourself before it does.
Google said that it takes online security seriously, as you might expect. It also has several security precautions that it urges all users to adopt to best protect their Google accounts from attacks. Number one on that list is the aptly named Security Checkup, and Google recommends that you run this on a regular basis. I recommend that you do so today, right now, as you never know when an attacker could strike.
Gmail Users Should Run The Google Security Checkup Today
I always recommend that you open your Google account and click on the Security & sign-in option initially, as this presents a helpful overview of your existing security configurations on one screen. Information such as when you last changed your password, when the last security activity or alert occurred, what your recovery number is and so on. Right at the top of this screen, however, is the most important thing: your security recommendations. Congratulations if you have none, you are already doing what you can to best protect your account. For everyone else, including me, it has to be said, there will likely be one or more flagged. Clicking on the option will take you to the Security Checkup tool itself.
This easy-to-use tool, which has already populated itself by the time it appears on your screen, provides security recommendations ranging from Gmail configurations to two-factor authentication advice, devices accessing your account, third-party access and recent security activity, such as a new sign-in or changes to your security settings. Even better, for the user in a hurry who doesn’t want to fiddle around too much with stuff they don’t completely understand, Google will hand-hold you through the steps required to improve your account security.
As you can see in the screenshot above, this test account of mine was lacking in a couple of areas. Even cybersecurity folk are not always perfect. A couple of clicks, and the account was properly secured. If you are a Gmail user, I recommend not delaying and running the security checkup tool today. You know it makes sense. Security sense.
