May 10, 2021

Google will automatically enable two-step verification (2SV) for Gmail users and account holders. The security feature is widely regarded as a way of protecting users from phishing and hackers.

Yesterday, Google asked its two billion Gmail users to opt for its two-step review, but will require all users to do so in the coming months.

This second factor means that someone with your username and password will not be able to log into your account unless they have physical access to your device.

Users who have registered with 2SV will receive a code via SMS, voice call or the Google app.

Another option is a security key like Google’s Titanium key, which was first introduced by Google to Android phones and delivered the same security feature to iOS users last year.

Google’s other keyword assistant is the password manager built into Chrome. Apple has the same feature in its Safari browser.

Chrome also has an experimental feature called Password Import, so users can import passwords from a CSV file.

Multi-factor authentication has been very successful in securing user accounts. According to Microsoft, 99.9% of the compromised accounts that are tracked every month have not enabled multi-factor authentication.

For more information, read the original story in Zdnet.