The move to two-factor authentication is incredibly effective. Google announced on Tuesday that the measure reduced by 50% the hacking of accounts that were able to set it up.
At the beginning of the last quarter, Google announced the activation of double authentication on more than 150 million accounts and 2 million YouTube users before the end of 2021. Several weeks later, the Mountain View firm issued an initial report on the measurement, and the overall result is undeniable: the A2F is a real guarantee of security.
Google wants to make it easier to adopt two-factor authentication
” We know your account Gmail
is often the link to your non-Google accounts for banking, social media, shopping, and more. That’s why Gmail security is critical to our work to keep you safe online. “, explains the American giant. With two-factor validation, the company has strengthened the protection of its users by protecting them from malware, phishing attempts, spam and other cyber threats.
Google has taken an important step in this direction, by offering this enhanced login procedure to its account. Let’s remember how it works: first, you must enter your usual password. Next, you are prompted by Google to fill in some more information. It can be a code, communicated by SMS, via a mobile application or by means of a voice message. Google’s Titan USB-C/NFC security key is also a solution, useful on a computer.
This double authentication can sometimes seem redundant. Google also offers its users to do without it on the computer or device you use every day: all you have to do is enter your password. But the passive protection works: when someone tries to log into your Google account from a device other than yours, they are prompted to enter the validation code. And this is where two-factor authentication comes in handy.
Thanks to double authentication, the number of hacked Google accounts would have decreased by 50%
Google welcomes its strong authentication efforts. In a blog post on Tuesday, the company says it has seen a 50% decrease in account compromises among users who have implemented 2FA.
” This decrease speaks volumes about the effectiveness of a second form of verification in protecting your data and personal information. And while we’re proud of these initial results and pleased with the response we’ve received from our users and the community, we’re excited about the other ongoing work we’re doing behind the scenes to make our users even safer. “, explains the Director of Safety and Security of Google Accounts, Guemmy Kim.
The Mountain View company therefore takes advantage of this news to remind that it is working on ways to reduce the user’s dependence on the password. Security keys offer a high degree of protection, and almost all smartphones on the market automatically support this technology, also known as Smart Lock. Regarding the 2FA, Google will accelerate the pace, especially in the United States, where the Biden administration is showing firmness on its adoption, in particular within government agencies. ” We see governments around the world taking similar approaches “says the company.
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Source: google
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