All Gmail and Outlook email users urged to make vital setting change today
The switch is important for keeping your device and accounts safe.
Email accounts are a regular target of cyber crooks who have a multitude of creative ways to try and steal their victim's personal and financial data.
Whether it is getting past common passwords, as users haven't updated their phrase in a while, or through fake emails and promotions, hackers will stop at nothing to get what they want.
In order to add an extra layer of protection to your email account, anyone with a Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook or other email service is being urged to make one simple change today to stop criminals in their tracks.
Action Fraud has sent out a new alert that encourages email users to go to their settings and turn on the two-step verification (2SV), reports the Express.
Using this setting means that no one will be able to access your email account without you being alerted through a code on a secondary device.
Therefore, even if a hacker has managed to acquire your log in details, they will be stumped by this second step for signing in and won't be able to go any further.
Explaining on a post of X, Action Fraud said: "Secure your email account by enabling 2-step verification (2SV). It can stop criminals from getting into your accounts, even if they have your password."
Provided by all major email services, the 2SV will ensure that your emails are kept private and away from the prying eyes of crooks.
How to switch on 2SV on Gmail
To switch on two-step verification on your Gmail account, all users need to do is log in and head to their settings. From there, users should go to the Security section and click on two-step verification.
Users will then need to follow the on-screen instructions to fully set up the security measure. This usually means setting up a second way to verify that you are the account holder, such as a phone number, security key or using Google prompts.
Once enabled, users will be alerted anytime someone tries to log in to their account using a new device. If you aren't the one trying to log in, you will simply be able to deny access on your secondary device which will stop the hacker in their tracks.
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Other email services will have similar steps to activate this two-step measure, which can be found on their support websites.
The UK Government's Stop Think Fraud site is also offering regular online users similar advice to keep themselves and loved ones safe.
The website says: "Turning on 2SV gives your most important accounts an extra level of protection, especially your email. It can be turned on in a matter of minutes – time well spent to keep the fraudsters out.
"2SV can usually be found in the security settings of your account. Sometimes it’s called 2-factor authentication (2FA) or multi-factor authentication (MFA).
"2SV is available for most of the major online services, such as email, banking, and social media."