Google Records 50% Drop In Account Breaches Due To 2 Step-Verification

Search giant – Google is all set to expand its two-step verification process for log-ins to enhance account security. The company disclosed that its two-step verification initiative records some success as account breaches reduced by 50%. About 150 million Gmail accounts are reported to have been protected under the two-step verification initiative. The two-step verification process uses mobile phones as a medium of confirmation whenever a user accesses their Google account from a different device.

In 2021, Google intensified efforts by auto-enrolling users in a two-step verification process thereby eliminating password threats. The two-step verification process provided users with an additional layer of security that made it more difficult for cybercriminals to hack into their accounts. Through these intensified efforts, Google records about 1.5 billion security checks.

This year, Google plans to align with the Global Safer Internet Day (SID) theme, which is “Together for a better Internet.” The company has assured of new plans to make provision for new technologies that will deliver a secured, seamless sign-in experience for users. The new technology will also eliminate the sole reliance on passwords, as it’s considered a major cause for data breaches and phishing attempts cybercriminals take advantage of.

According to comments by Dawn Dimowo Google’s Government Affairs and Public Policy Manager for Nigeria said “We don’t just plug security holes, we work to eliminate entire classes of threats for people who depend on our services. Today alone, billions of people around the world will use our products to help with things big and small from conducting e-payment transactions or teaching an online class full of students. It is our responsibility to keep users’ personal information safe and secure.” Dimowo added that “This decrease speaks volumes to how having a second form of verification can be effective in protecting your data and personal information. And while we are proud of these initial results and happy with the response we have received from our users and the community, we are excited about other ongoing behind the scenes work intended to make our users even safer.”

In a related development, Google announces that efforts have now been put into the maps system to ensure better delivery of efficiency. The search giant has also introduced new content policies that will cultivate safe practices for posting reviews for business profiles. The company disclosed that the Maps User Contributed Content Policy was targeted at ensuring the elimination of unreliable information. “With millions of people relying on Google Maps to navigate and explore daily, Google is ensuring information users see, especially reviews, are totally reliable and reviews are based on real-world experiences.  Irrelevant and offensive comments will hereby be kept off Google Business Profiles. Google aims at utilizing machine learning models to moderate millions of reviews that would be uploaded through the Google Business Profile tool.

The search giant has explained that machine learning models have been automated with the ability to identify patterns and tell if a review is legitimate or not. The machines have also been automated to flag offensive or off-topic content. According to Google’s Communications and Public Affairs Manager, West Africa, Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, “We’re dedicated to keeping reviews on Google Maps authentic and reliable to protect local businesses from fraud and abuse and keep the information helpful for users. Over the past couple of years, through the Local Guides program, we have developed easy tools that allow people to help contribute to Maps so others can more easily and accurately explore their world.”