Google has started the process of making 'two-step verification' mandatory on all Gmail accounts from November 10, 2021. Under this, this security feature will be made mandatory on more than 150 million accounts that have not used two-step verification so far.
Last May, the company announced plans to make two-step verification mandatory on all Google accounts by 2021.
For this, Google has started sending notifications asking users to activate two-step verification within seven days. If the user does not activate within that time period, Google will automatically activate this feature.
Users will receive OTP (One Time Password) on their phone or email when logging in to their Google Account after enabling 'Two-Factor Authentication' or 'Two-Step Verification'.
If the phone is lost for two-step verification, users will be able to sign in to a Google Account with a recovery email ID.
The company believes that this process protects the user's personal data. However, users with a paid Google Workspace account are not required to perform two-step verification.
Controlling a user's Gmail account is a valuable gift for any cyber criminal. This is because the same Gmail account paves the way for other user accounts to be retrieved.
In the event that an attacker gains access, changing the password can kill the real person's account and cause serious damage. So security requires a second step authentication with a username and password.
Users will get this feature by default. This means that this feature will no longer be optional as before. This feature will be automatically applied to the account of the user who does not use this feature.
Google has mentioned in its blog post that you need to use two-factor authentication to sign in to Google. With the help of this feature the security of the user will be more effective.
Once this feature is implemented, no one will be able to open your Google Account without your mobile device. Even if someone has your username and password, that person will not be able to access your account.
When you login to an account with the help of two-factor authentication, you will receive a code on your phone via SMS, voice call or Google App. The blog mentions that password theft is a thing of the past.
Google's attempt to make two-factor authentication the default is seen as a significant step forward. However, this feature is said to be applied by default only to properly configured accounts.
Explaining this, Google said, ‘Properly configured means that users regularly sign in to their account and engage in Google products through their mobile devices. Also, those who have recovery information like recovery email and recovery phone number in their account. '
