Two-factor authentication (2FA) acts as an additional layer of security to prevent unauthorised account sign-in. Google has widely encouraged its users to adopt the 2FA for their Google accounts. Now, it has reportedly made Chrome for Android browser as a 2FA security key for Google account sign-in.
As per a report by 9to5Google, the Chrome 93 for Android beta hints at the development. It says that the beta update prompts users when someone attempts to sign in to the same Google account on a nearby device.
Once a user enters an email ID and password on a laptop, Google will send them a prompt message “Are you trying to sign in?” notification. It opens a fullscreen page with “Yes” and “No, it’s not me” at the bottom. “Someone is trying to sign in to your account from a nearby device”, it says.
After you confirm the sign-in, you will be taken to a “Connecting to your device” page with rotating animation. As revealed by a Chrome browser flag, Google is using assisted Bluetooth Low Energy (CABLE) to enable the 2FA using Chrome for Android. Chrome Sync must be enabled on both devices for the feature to work.
The feature is available via Chrome for macOS, Windows, Linux, Chrome OS, and Android. It is not available for iOS devices though.
Similar feature in the past
This is not the first time Google has attempted to make account sign-in safe and easier with the 2FA method. It has Titan Security Key that acts as a hardware-based authentication option. It allows Android smartphones to act as security keys and offers support for the use of time-based verification codes via the multi-platform Google Authenticator app.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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