Your email account is one of the most important online accounts to keep secure and un-hackable. There are two main reasons why checking recent login activity to your email account is a good idea:

1. Spotting Unauthorized Access: Your email account likely contains sensitive information, personal documents, and access to other online accounts. By checking the login activity, you can see if someone else has accessed or attempted to access your account from an unrecognized location or device. This could be a sign that your account has been compromised through phishing, malware, or a weak password.
2. Troubleshooting Login Issues: Sometimes, legitimate login attempts from new devices or locations can cause problems. Reviewing your recent activity can help you identify if there were any login attempts around the time you experienced issues accessing your account. This can help you narrow down the cause of the problem.

In short, checking your recent login activity is a proactive way to protect your email security and ensure that only you are accessing your account.

How to check your login activity for major email accounts

Here’s how to check recent login activity on the major email providers:

Gmail:

1. Open Gmail on your computer.
2. Look for the “Last account activity Details” link in the bottom right corner of the window and click on it.

Yahoo Mail:

1. Log in to your Yahoo Mail account.
2. Click on your profile icon in the top right corner.
3. Select “Account info” from the menu.
4. Find the “Recent activity” section and click on it.

Outlook.com / Microsoft:

1. Log in to your Outlook.com or Microsoft account.
2. Click on your profile picture in the top right corner.
3. Select “View account and profile.”
4. Under “Security info,” click on “Recent activity.”

Important notes:

• The information displayed typically includes the location (city and country) of the login and the type of device used. However the location may be incorrect if using a VPN or mobile network.
• If you see any suspicious activity, it’s recommended to change your password immediately. Also consider adding two-step verification to make it harder for hackers to access your account even if they know your password, and adding it before hackers do.
• Email provided by Internet Service Providers AT&T and Charter/Spectrum do not offer the ability to check your recent activity or setup two-step verification. That’s one reason why we recommend switching away from using email provided by your Internet Service Provider.

Contact us if you need help with securing your email or other online accounts.

Windows Security vs. Paid Antivirus

For years, we’ve been bombarded with warnings about lurking online threats, prompting many to invest in pricey antivirus software. But with Windows Security, a robust built-in security solution on modern supported versions of Windows, is paying for additional protection really necessary?

Windows Defender: A Force to Be Reckoned With

Windows Defender is the core antivirus and anti-malware protection included in Windows Security. Contrary to its earlier reputation, Windows Defender has evolved into a capable security solution. Independent testing labs like AV-TEST consistently award it high marks for malware detection, real-time protection, and performance. In fact, some recent tests show it performing on par with several popular paid antivirus programs.

Advantages of Windows Defender:

• Cost-effective: It’s completely free and comes pre-installed with Windows, eliminating the need for additional purchases and subscriptions.
• Seamless integration: It’s deeply integrated with the Windows system, offering smooth background protection without resource-intensive scans or pop-ups.
• Automatic updates: Microsoft constantly updates Windows Defender with the latest threat signatures, ensuring you’re always protected against the newest malware.
• Low system impact: Unlike some resource-heavy antivirus programs, Windows Defender runs efficiently, minimizing its impact on your system’s performance.

Is Paid Antivirus Still Worth It?

While Windows Defender provides solid protection for most users, some situations might warrant additional security measures: