Google is set to abandon SMS verification codes to secure access to Gmail. Deemed too vulnerable, this method will soon be replaced. A new, more secure and more practical system will be deployed in the coming months. coming soon.
Authentication methods are evolving to strengthen the security of online accounts. For years, SMS has been a simple and widespread method for two-step verification. But with the increase in phishing attacks and the hijacking of phone numbers, this solution is increasingly considered insufficient. Google has therefore decided to turn the page and offer a more secure alternative.
In the coming months, Gmail will gradually replace login codes sent by SMS with a system based on QR codes. In concrete terms, instead of receiving a code to six-digit passcode on their phone, users will have to scan one with their smartphone's camera to validate their login. The change is intended to reduce the risk of account theft, as no code can be intercepted or shared by mistake.
Google is strengthening Gmail security by replacing SMS with QR codes
The move away from SMS is part of Google's broader push to eliminate outdated authentication methods. As with passkeys, which allow login without a password, the QR code offers a more modern and reliable solution. Phishing attacks often exploit the naivety of users by making them enter stolen codes on fake sites. With this new system, it becomes much more difficult to hijack a connection. In addition, it reduces dependence on telephone operators, whose security flaws are sometimes exploited by cybercriminals.
Google has not yet specified the exact date of implementation of this transition, but the change is already acted. Eventually, Gmail will no longer offer the SMS authentication option at all. This choice follows a broader trend in the field of cybersecurity, where companies are looking to limit easily circumvented methods. For users, this means a more secure connection, but also a small change of habit to anticipate.
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