As part of a significant security update to its email service, google is set to restructure the login process for around 2 billion Gmail users. To confirm a user's identification, the existing SMS text message technique will be phased out "over the next few months" and replaced with a new QR code system.
"Rampant, worldwide SMS misuse" is intended to be lessened by the changeover," a spokeswoman told Forbes. Google has been contacted by The Independent for verification.
Ross Richendrfer, who works on security and privacy concerns at google, told Forbes, "We want to move away from sending SMS messages for authentication, just as we want to move past passwords with the use of things like passkeys."
"We're going to be rethinking how we check phone numbers over the coming months. In particular, a QR code will appear, which you must scan with your phone's camera app, in place of inputting your number and getting a six-digit code.
The approximately 1.8 billion Gmail users worldwide are now required to undergo two-step verification, which uses SMS text messages to verify that a user is who they say they are.
Even though it is far more secure than a password alone, scammers have found ways to get around this security measure.
Phishing assaults are one technique, in which online fraudsters impersonate google or a phone provider to fool victims into divulging security codes.
Users not being able to access the device to which the SMS verification code is given has also been a problem, according to Google.
According to Mr. Richendrfer, "SMS codes are a source of heightened risk for users,"
"We're pleased to introduce an innovative new approach to shrink the surface area for attackers and keep users safer from malicious activity."
"Rampant, worldwide SMS misuse" is intended to be lessened by the changeover," a spokeswoman told Forbes. Google has been contacted by The Independent for verification.
Ross Richendrfer, who works on security and privacy concerns at google, told Forbes, "We want to move away from sending SMS messages for authentication, just as we want to move past passwords with the use of things like passkeys."
"We're going to be rethinking how we check phone numbers over the coming months. In particular, a QR code will appear, which you must scan with your phone's camera app, in place of inputting your number and getting a six-digit code.
The approximately 1.8 billion Gmail users worldwide are now required to undergo two-step verification, which uses SMS text messages to verify that a user is who they say they are.
Even though it is far more secure than a password alone, scammers have found ways to get around this security measure.
Phishing assaults are one technique, in which online fraudsters impersonate google or a phone provider to fool victims into divulging security codes.
Users not being able to access the device to which the SMS verification code is given has also been a problem, according to Google.
According to Mr. Richendrfer, "SMS codes are a source of heightened risk for users,"
"We're pleased to introduce an innovative new approach to shrink the surface area for attackers and keep users safer from malicious activity."
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