Two-factor authentication (or 2FA) is quickly becoming a must-have for both individual and corporate users. The verification method adds a significant layer of security for any online account. However, though 2FA creates security, one can also see how it adds some extra, potentially hassling steps for anyone who just wants to get into their accounts quickly. If you follow that line of thinking, you might be wondering if the additional security outweighs the hassle of whipping out your phone every single time.
Well, according to Google, it’s totally worth it. Last year, the company automatically applied two-factor authentication to some users, starting a push to eventually get everyone into the security measure. The initiative is reportedly paying off. Google has recently revealed that 2FA has decreased compromised accounts by a whopping 50 percent.
It’s a proof of concept for the company. Google is additionally promising that the authentication measure’s rollout will continue this year. The company will also add more ways to stay secure while browsing online, including an account-based way to prevent access to harmful sites.
If you don’t prefer a huge deep dive into what’s coming for Google’s gallery of security features, you can still easily get into two-factor authentication. A lot of sites today already offer the feature to add that extra layer. Users who opt into the feature will receive a time-sensitive key (through Google’s Authenticator app) they need to input every time they log into their account.
While, yes, it does add some time before you get into your account, Google’s latest report does spark some confidence in the measure’s effectiveness.