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Google is planning to automatically enroll users in two-factor authentication (2FA) to strengthen their security as it dreams of a “simpler and safer future without passwords.”
The tech giant urged users to have the second form of verification in place as it revealed that it will automatically sign them up for it soon through a Google blog on World Password Day, May 6.
“You may not realize it, but passwords are the single biggest threat to your online security – they’re easy to steal, they’re hard to remember, and managing them is tedious,” said Mark Risher, who is Google’s director of product, management, identity and user security.
Risher noted that even the strongest and longest of passwords can still be compromised, which is why Google has been offering 2FA or two-step verification (2SV) for the longest time, albeit it is optional.
Through 2FA, users are given an extra layer of security by receiving a prompt to verify it is them whenever they log in using a different phone or device.
“Soon we’ll start automatically enrolling users in 2SV if their accounts are appropriately configured,” Risher said. Users can check the status of their accounts via Google’s Security Checkup.
“Using their mobile device to sign in gives people a safer and more secure authentication experience than passwords alone,” he added.
Risher has noted, however, that users will still be given the option to simply opt out of the enrolment, according to Forbes on May 7.
Google will also not be subjecting all users at once with the coming change. Risher clarified to the magazine that they are testing it out on users who are “in a position where moving to 2SV won’t be disruptive and will deliver better protection.”
They have already begun the automatic enrolment on a “small user group” and “will be expanding that pool over the coming months,” according to the report. Ian Biong /ra
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