If you run a small business, ask all of your employees and contractors to run through the Google Security Checklist for their Google accounts. If you share Docs or other applications with clients, create a special outward-facing Gmail address that you can share with other Gmail users who may potentially be insecure themselves.

If you have a good ongoing working relationship with a client with Google accounts, send them this article and ask them to run through Google's suggested steps.

If you are concerned about security in your industry, have contractors and employees sign a contract that requires them to ensure that their Google Accounts are secure and use two-step verification.

The bottom line is that keeping your Google Account secure requires a bit of extra work. Considering that our Google accounts are digital keychains to our online lives, though, it's definitely time well spent.

Angela West dreams of opening a Fallout-themed pub featuring wait staff with Pip-Boys. She's written for big insurance companies, small wildlife control businesses, gourmet food chains, and more. Follow her on Twitter at .