Google is offering a free permanent storage upgrade to anyone's Google Drive account. By performing a quick security checkup, a user can earn up to 2GB of extra space.
The free gift is Google's way of celebrating "Safer Internet Day." The occasion, now on its 12th year, falls on Feb. 10 this year. The theme for 2015 is: "Let's create a better Internet together."
"This Safer Internet Day, we're reminded how important online safety is and hope you'll use this as an opportunity to take two minutes to complete a simple Security Checkup," said Google on the Google Drive blog page. "While everything stored in Drive is always encrypted in transit and at rest in Google's custom-built data centers, this checkup ensures you're making the most of the 24/7 protection you already get from Google."
Users would need to provide certain data prior to getting started with the security checkup process. This involves verifying one's backup information such as phone number, recovery email info and answering the backup security question. All of these fields must be thoroughly filled out.
Once the initial verifying stage has been completed, the user will be directed to a page that checks his recent activity on his Google account. Various information that describe the activity are labeled under headings such as event, most recent and approximate location. On the bottom part of the page, the user can choose to click either the "Looks good" button or the one that says: "Something looks wrong."
The user will be able to check all devices that have signed in recently to his account. This means that if he uses a mobile device and has attached it to his Google account, the device will appear on the list. If an activity coming from using the device looks wrong, the user will be prompted to change his password on his account. The "suspicious" device will then no longer be allowed to establish a connection.
Apart from checking one's recent activity, the security checkup also involves other steps throughout the whole process. These include checking the user's account permissions, app passwords and the 2-step verification settings.
At the end of the process, the user will see the words "Nicely done, you're all set" on the page.
Google encourages users to revisit the security checkup page regularly or anytime an account has been changed, such as after getting a new mobile device, or if one's old laptop has been replaced. Users can also find more tools and tips in the Google Safety Center to find more ideas on how to stay safe online.
Users of Google Apps for Education and Google Apps for Work are not eligible for the 2GB extra storage bonus. However, they are also encouraged to take the Security Checkup.
