With looming cybersecurity threats, the importance of two-factor verification cannot be over-emphasized. Last year, Google introduced a feature that allowed the users to set up two-step verification on their accounts and started to enroll them automatically. The tech giant stated that since implementing two-step verification as the default in 2021, many Google account breaches have been cut in half.
Reduced Google account breaches speak volumes about two-step verification effectiveness
Google said the drop in account breaches speaks volumes to how effective having a second form of verification can be in protecting your data and personal information. More than 150 million people have been auto-enrolled in the security feature so far, including more than 2 million YouTube creators. While the company said that it is integrating even more accounts into the mix.
Read more: Is Two-Factor Authentication as effective as it is portrayed? Here is all you need to know
Back in 2018, the software giant reported that over 80 percent of active accounts don’t use two-factor authentication, despite encouraging people and making them aware of its benefits. So, last year, Google decided to auto-enroll two-step verification for millions of accounts, which is giving fruitful results as this helped drop the number of Google account breaches by 50 percent.
Google recommends security checkup
Google highlighted a few best security practices to keep the account safe, such as doing a security check and making use of Google Password Manager. The latter is one of the best password managers for Android, and it’s built right into Chrome and the Google app. Google also reiterated its commitment to developing new technologies that will replace passwords, such as physical security keys. The security keys are another form of verification that requires users to plug in and tap a key to log in. Smartphones running the Android and iOS operating systems have this functionality built right in.
Source: Pro Pakistani
