Google is working on a new 2FA (two-factor authorization) feature, which will rely on QR codes in order to supplement the verification feature already available across Android smartphone devices.
Two-factor authentication has come very far from being an optional form of login for online platforms across the internet. With online security becoming increasingly important and relevant with each passing day, and cybercriminals absolutely not backing down, two-factor authentication is entirely necessary in order to keep one’s personal information safe. More importantly, with social media being a very important projection of one’s persona, hackers getting a hold of such accounts is much more detrimental than it was in the early 2000’s. Google has had strict two-factor authentication set in place for quite some time. When logging onto a new device a suspicious number of times without verifying one’s presence through another verified device, Google will end up locking the individual out if two-factor authentication is not immediately provided. While this can be annoying in certain situations, for instance logging onto a new device without having your mobile in close proximity, the additional security is worth the inconvenience.
Google’s even expanded its 2FA sensibilities to the Chrome browser for Android devices. If users are trying to log on somewhere else, simply using the browser on one’s smartphone and pushing on the volume key (once prompted by the device) will lead to verification being complete. However, it seems that the tech giant isn’t satisfied with just this and is trying out a new approach towards 2FA. Specifically, one that utilizes QR codes now that almost all smartphones across the board can easily scan them. QR codes as a form of authorization or verification isn’t necessarily new technology either. Snapchat users have been utilizing these auto-generated images in order to register other accounts for quite some time. WhatsApp also utilizes QR code scanning in order to let individuals log their accounts onto browsers via the platform’s Web interface.
Recently, a new experimental flag was spotted on Chrome for Android, parading under the name of “web authentication caBLE v2 QR codes”. That is, as of yet, the only information available on the topic since the experimental feature hasn’t been implemented yet.
Read next: Data Reveals Google Search’s Stranglehold On The Search Engine Marketplace
Two-factor authentication has come very far from being an optional form of login for online platforms across the internet. With online security becoming increasingly important and relevant with each passing day, and cybercriminals absolutely not backing down, two-factor authentication is entirely necessary in order to keep one’s personal information safe. More importantly, with social media being a very important projection of one’s persona, hackers getting a hold of such accounts is much more detrimental than it was in the early 2000’s. Google has had strict two-factor authentication set in place for quite some time. When logging onto a new device a suspicious number of times without verifying one’s presence through another verified device, Google will end up locking the individual out if two-factor authentication is not immediately provided. While this can be annoying in certain situations, for instance logging onto a new device without having your mobile in close proximity, the additional security is worth the inconvenience.
Google’s even expanded its 2FA sensibilities to the Chrome browser for Android devices. If users are trying to log on somewhere else, simply using the browser on one’s smartphone and pushing on the volume key (once prompted by the device) will lead to verification being complete. However, it seems that the tech giant isn’t satisfied with just this and is trying out a new approach towards 2FA. Specifically, one that utilizes QR codes now that almost all smartphones across the board can easily scan them. QR codes as a form of authorization or verification isn’t necessarily new technology either. Snapchat users have been utilizing these auto-generated images in order to register other accounts for quite some time. WhatsApp also utilizes QR code scanning in order to let individuals log their accounts onto browsers via the platform’s Web interface.
Recently, a new experimental flag was spotted on Chrome for Android, parading under the name of “web authentication caBLE v2 QR codes”. That is, as of yet, the only information available on the topic since the experimental feature hasn’t been implemented yet.
Read next: Data Reveals Google Search’s Stranglehold On The Search Engine Marketplace
