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Smartphones running Android 7.0 or higher can now be used as two-step verification (2FA) tools as part of Google’s 2FA strategy. With this, the tech giant wants to improve the security of his online services. That’s what Security Intelligence reports.

According to Google, using devices such as security keys is a way to help consumers and businesses avoid a number of risks associated with phishing and other ways to steal passwords and usernames. Google’s 2FA approach uses something that an end user already knows, along with something they physically own.

Users interested in using their Android phone as a security key can sign up for the program via Google Play Services. It is possible to add an account there. However, it is required that Bluetooth is enabled on both the mobile device and the desktop.

After that, anyone who redirects an email, SMS or anything else to a fake version of an online service owned by Google can quickly see that it is phishing. The Google 2FA key is then not required, which indicates a false variant of the service.

Limited

Google says the program is still in beta. In addition, the company states that its Titan Security Key is still the best protection against phishing attacks. This is a physical security key for two-step verification, which has been available for 50 dollars since August last year. The Internet giant advises anyone using the new 2FA option to have an extra backup key in a safe place, if ever needed.

While the new option to use an Android smartphone as a 2FA key certainly helps to combat certain phishing campaigns, it is also a limited option. It only works with Google services and only on Android devices, so iPhone users have to choose other options, such as combining a password with an SMS code.

This news article was automatically translated from Dutch to give Techzine.eu a head start. All news articles after September 1, 2019 are written in native English and NOT translated. All our background stories are written in native English as well. For more information read our launch article.