There is no doubt that activating an extra layer of security for your accounts make it safer and allot more difficult to be hacked. For those who don’t believe this and have turned two-factor authentication for their accounts, well Google have some news for you.

In 2021, Google by default turned on two-factor authentication (2FA) for 150 million users. And between then and now, a report from Google has shown that this extra security have prevented at least 50% of hacks. Here are the details.

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Google Two-Factor Authentication Prevented 50% of Hacks

As part of the “safe internet day”, Google has shared some insight on how it has helped kept the internet safe. In a statement the company said, “In 2021, we automatically activated two-step verification for more than 150 million people. As a result, the number of compromised accounts decreased by 50%.” 

For those who don’t already know, 2FA is a security protection that gives you two layers of security. This means, after you enter your password and log in details, a code will still be send via SMS, email, or a generated number via the 2FA App before you can access your account.

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Granted, this extra security seems like allot for work for people but it also makes it allot harder for hackers to get unauthorized access to your account. So let’s assume someone manages to get your password and log in details, to access the account the person also need to provide the code sent to your phone number, email, or from the 2FA App. Without this code, the person won’t be able to access the account.

Although the statistics shared by Google only referred to the 150 million users that got the 2FA by default, Google is not the only company using this security measure. Big companies such as Facebook, Binance, and even Crypto.com also used this.

See Also: How to activate 2FA security in Crypto.com

In fact, after a recent hack incidence on the Crypto.com platform, the company made it mandatory that all users turn on 2FA for their account. Point id, 2FA security is effective so you might want to turn it on for your account today.

In addition to 2FA, Google also announced new tools for users to stay protected and safe online.

Google is Keeping You Safe Online

1. More protection for high risk users: We are the first-choice for high risk users like election workers; journalists, and human rights workers. Ahead of the upcoming 2022 U.S. midterm elections, we’re expanding our efforts to protect these high risk users.

We’ve teamed up with organizations across the political spectrum to establish the Campaign Security Project; providing organizations with the tools to train candidates and campaign workers on how to stay safe online.

Groups include the Veterans Campaign, Collective Future, Women’s Public Leadership Network; LGBTQ Victory Institute, Center for American Ideas, University of San Francisco, Emerge, Latino Victory and more. This will build on our ongoing work with Defending Digital Campaigns, USC Election Cybersecurity Initiative and Cybersecurity for State Leaders.

2. Introducing Account Level Enhanced Safe Browsing: Coming next month; you will be able to opt in to Google’s account-level enhanced safe browsing feature; which provides our broadest security protection against threats you encounter on the web and against your Google Account.

Soon you will be able to turn this setting on when you take a Security Checkup; or manually in your account settings.

Life on the internet will be so much easier if we don’t have to worry about security. But, we have to worry about security and there are things you can do to keep your account secure. The first step is by turning on 2FA for your account today.

Source | Google