Google offers free added 2GB storage if you check your online security

Here's a win-win solution for users of Google's online services: a two-gigabyte bump in storage on Google Drive, if they review their online security settings before Feb. 17.

Google Drive group product manager Alex Vogenthaler said the offer is part of Safer Internet Day, which stresses the importance of keeping secure online.

For this year, Safer Internet Day is marked on Feb. 10, with the theme "Let's create a better Internet together."

In a blog post, Vogenthaler said users can take just two minutes to complete a Security Checkup.

"As our way of saying thanks for completing the checkup by 17 February 2015, we’ll give you a permanent 2 gigabyte bump in your Google Drive storage plan," he said.

The checkup ensures a user's account recovery information is current, and allows users to review recent sign-in activity.

It also confirms the apps and devices that access some account information.

"After you’ve gone through the checkup successfully, you’ll see three green checkboxes that confirm you’re eligible for the free storage and, more importantly, that you’ve taken steps to enhance your online safety," he said.

Vogenthaler said Google will grant the storage automatically to everyone around Feb. 28, and email eligible users when the adjustment is complete.

But even without the 2-GB offer, he said users should revisit the checkup every so often or anytime their accounts change, "like when you get a new phone or replace an old laptop."

Here's bad news, however, for users of Google Apps for Work and Google Apps for Education – they are not eligible for the bonus storage. — Joel Locsin/LBG, GMA News