Google provides more clarity on Gmail's Advanced Protection feature

For enhancing the account security of Gmail users, Google rolled out an Advanced Protection feature saying “it provides Google’s strongest security, designed for those who are at an elevated risk of attack and are willing to trade off a bit of convenience for more protection of their personal Google Accounts”.

But, apparently, the release left users more confused about how the feature actually worked, for many posted queries on the company’s official help forum. To provide users more clarity on the matter, Google employee Crystal Cee (who is also the Community Manager at Gmail help forum) has come up with more information about some of the FAQs, and here they are:

Advance Protection restricts your account’s access by third-party apps

The company suggests those who wish to share their Google account’s data with some third party applications, should go for 2-step verification feature instead of Advanced Protection for extra security.

Note: Those of you who are confused whether or not they have enrolled for Advanced Protection, they can check here and here. A message stating Advanced Protection is on for your account signifies the feature is enabled. You can unenroll by turning off the same or following the recommended steps here.

The feature doesn’t prevent one from signing in to their own account

Only in the case when Google feels something suspicious about the sign in, it puts up the concerned account through an extra step of verification. Here’s how they explain it:

If you’re getting prompted for additional verification when trying to sign in, it’s likely because we’ve detected something different about the way you’re signing in and want to verify it’s really you. See here for more information.

The feature is not meant for those who can’t buy the required Security Keys

Security Keys are mandatory, as that’s how the system works. So if you can’t get access to them for a reason like lack of availability in your country, no point enrolling for Advanced Protection.

Recovery email’s a must

To avoid accessibility issues during the account recovery process, Google suggests users to have an updated recovery email address and/or phone number. They say

For accounts with Advanced Protection enabled, in the event that you lose your security keys or forget your password, you’ll need to go through the Account Recovery process and a current recovery email address helps with this.

We hope the information discussed in this article answered some, if not most of your queries, and gave you a better understanding about how Advanced Protection actually works. Now to enroll or not is completely your call.

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