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Google Plans to Enable Two-Step Verification by Default

But only if your account is configured correctly

By Joshua Hawkins Joshua Hawkins Freelance Technology Reporter Full Sail University Josh Hawkins is a freelance writer for Lifewire who loves writing about the latest tech and gadgets that help make people’s lives easier. As an avid gamer and VR enthusiast, he also enjoys diving deep into the technology that helps bring those kinds of experiences to life. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on May 7, 2021 10:07AM EDT Fact checked by Rich Scherr Fact checked by Rich Scherr University of Maryland Baltimore County Rich Scherr is a seasoned technology and financial journalist who spent nearly two decades as the editor of Potomac and Bay Area Tech Wire. lifewire's fact checking process Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Internet & Security Mobile Phones Internet & Security Computers & Tablets Smart Life Home Theater & Entertainment Software & Apps Social Media Streaming Gaming Google is looking to increase the security on your account, announcing that it will soon enable its two-step verification (2SV) system by default. On World Password Day (May 6), Google announced the decision to enable 2SV as part of a larger post about password security as a whole. The hope is that this will increase the overall security of your Google account without you needing to set anything up yourself. In order to have the feature on by default, though, you’ll need to configure your account with Google’s Security Checkup, according to 9To5Google. Google Online security has become a big topic in the past year, as more users have turned to the internet for work, schooling, and making purchases. A study by Google revealed that only 46% of Americans feel confident when it comes to the security of their online accounts. The company believes enabling 2SV by default will make it easier for users to feel more confident about their account security. Google already offers a number of ways to secure your account with 2SV, but the key thing to note here is that this will enable it for many users who aren’t already utilizing it. The most prominent version of the company’s security authentication system is what it calls Google Prompt. When enabled, a device that you have signed into Google will be prompted whenever you—or someone else—tries to access your Google account. Other 2SV options include special security keys built into Android phones and the Google Smart Lock app on iOS devices. When enabled, Google says these authentication options will secure your account more than a password ever could. Google If you aren’t looking to give up your passwords anytime soon, Google recommends at least using a password manager, like the one built directly into Google Chrome on PC, Chromebooks, Android, and iOS. The company says it uses the latest security tech to protect your information. It also lets you create stronger passwords, which can help make your logins harder to crack. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Use Two Step Verification (2FA) in WhatsApp 10 Popular Accounts That Should Have Two-Factor Authentication Enabled How to Use WhatsApp Privacy Settings How to Set Up a New Android Phone How to Secure Your Gmail With Two-Step Authentication How to Stop Someone From Accessing Your Phone Remotely How to Access Yahoo Mail With Outlook How to Turn on Google Two Factor Authentication How to Run a Google Security Checkup How to Use Google Find My Device Protect an Outlook.com Account with 2-Step Verification Protecting Your Yahoo Mail With 2-Step Authentication How to Turn on Gmail Two-Factor Authentication The 5 Best Secure Email Services for 2022 How to Fix It When You're Locked Out of Your Gmail Account How to Set up Google Authenticator Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies