Google automatically enables 2FA login for 150 million users
The measure significantly reduces the number of accounts hijacked through password theft. Google also references its Advanced Protection Program for journalists and public figures.
Google has automatically signed up more than 150 million users for 2-Step Verification. The company had already announced the measure in October 2021. A press release now states that the number of accounts hijacked through password theft has fallen by 50 percent.
“This drop speaks volumes about how effective a second form of verification can be in protecting your data and personal information. While we’re proud of these early results and excited by the response from our users and community, we’re also excited about the continued work we’re doing behind the scenes,” said Guemmy Kim, Google’s director of security Chrome.
“We know that your Gmail account is often the link to your accounts outside of Google, e.g. B. for banking, social media, shopping and much more. That’s why Gmail security is fundamental to our work to ensure your online safety. By making all our products secure by default, we protect more users than anyone else in the world – we block malware, phishing attempts, spam messages and potential cyber attacks.”
A Google spokesperson added that the company has deployed other solutions that are “secure by default” and has pioneered the adoption of “advanced authentication methods like security keys that provide easy, more secure sign-in for users.” “Those solutions include the Advanced Protection Program, which protects high-risk users such as journalists, celebrities and other public figures, 37 percent of whose accounts were hacked in the last year, according to a recent Google/YouGov poll,” the spokesperson said further.
