Gmail Security

A month or so ago Google made a change to Gmail.  This change would allow users to send email messages to anyone from their Google+ profiles.  In case you are like me and are not a user of Google+ let’s take a look. 

Google has said that, "Google+ has a ‘social layer’ that enhances many of its online properties, and that it is not simply a social networking website, but also an authorship tool that associates web-content directly with its owner/author."  Nice description.  However, I would say it is another one of the many social networks which has a few more buttons and bells. 

I have also read on a few sites that Google+ is in second place only to Facebook.  However, the reputable Pew Media research group says they are in this order; Facebook (67% of online adults), Twitter (16%), Pinterest (15%), Instagram (13%) and Tumblr (6%).  Keep in mind this is for adult users only and Google+ doesn’t show up in the top five.

This change in the Gmail/Google+ combo means that if you are a user of both services, anyone on Google+ can now email you without knowing your email address. Privacy advocates are going nuts.  It is an easy feature to disable; however, in my opinion, another stroke of bad planning on Google’s part is that this is set to "on" as the default.  That means your circle of friends can do this until you stop it.

1. To remove this setting log in to your Gmail account.  
2. Once in, click the gray gear button at the top-right corner of the screen.
    
3. Now, click "Settings."
4. You should be on the "General" tab, if not click it.
   1. Scroll down the page and find, "Email via Google+."
       
5. There are four settings to choose from.  I recommend you choose "No one" however there are other choices.  To find out about the other three choices click the link labeled "Learn more."

After you are finished scroll to the bottom of the page and click the large "Save Changes" button.  That is all you need to do to protect a little of your privacy.

There are many other settings for Gmail you may want to use.  Take a look around and see if any of these could be of value to you. 

If you are particularly interested in any send me an email and you may see a column about that feature in the next few weeks.