You can never care about your personal information security too much, and Google's rolling out a cool new feature to keep your stuff safe. It'll work in conjunction with your phone. You'll still have your usual password. But as an added layer of security, you can opt to have a second checkpoint that will send you a verification code, either through the Google Authenticator app (for Android, BlackBerry or iPhone), or by SMS or even a phone call. You can have it remember the verification for 30 days if you wish.
The service will be rolling out over the next few days, and be sure to read Google's entire post on it for all the details. Yeah, it's an extra step, but it's an extra layer of security. And we like that around here. [Google]
Reader comments
Google rolling out two-step account security using your Android phone
Not too shabby
Has this not been out for a while? I've had the authenticator on my D2 for a while now. I ended up disabling the 2 step verification out of fear of getting locked out of my account. I was gonna be more responsible and make sure to print out the backup codes...but then I just went to the fridge to grab a beer.
I like it even though it may be a pain at some point but security is good.
Yeah, this has been out a while. Been using it for a while on my DInc.
What about asking for a password when purchasing a paid app in the Market. Can you fix that Google?
Be nice to be able to use this now, I have somethign similar on my WoW account....
Yea definatly not new. Google will ask you if you want to enroll when they feel that your account has been tampered with. Happened to me when my account was infected through a public school computer.
The possibility of losing my phone is what has me worried about the security of my account so I'm not sure this is going to help much.
At the very least, it would keep anyone that knows you and might know you password, from guessing the secondary passkey, to get into your account. Unless of course your share it with them. But then most stolen or lost phones, the new "Owner" is normally not exactly interested in the old owners accounts. As soon as the SIM card stops working for calls and data, they will just pop in their own SIM.