Google Simplifies 2-Factor Authentication Setup (It's More Important Than Ever)

Google has announced improvements to its two-factor authentication (2FA) setup process for personal and Workspace accounts, aiming to enhance security by adding a second verification step using methods like authenticator apps or hardware security keys. This update eliminates the need for SMS-based authentication, which is less secure.

The company also introduced options for users with hardware security keys to register FIDO1 or FIDO2 credentials, enhancing protection against phishing and hijacking attacks. Despite these advancements, new research indicates potential vulnerabilities, such as adversary-in-the-middle (AitM) attacks, which can compromise session security even with advanced authentication methods like FIDO2.