Google is making it easier and safer to protect your account with an extra layer of security. The company recently announced changes to how you set up two-factor authentication (2FA).
Previously, setting up 2FA required you to provide your phone number to receive SMS verification codes. Now, you can skip this step and directly add an alternative “second-step method.” This includes options like:
- Authenticator Apps: Get time-based codes from apps like Google Authenticator.
- Hardware Security Keys: Use these physical devices for even stronger ones.
This update makes the 2FA setup more secure by eliminating the reliance on SMS verification,a method that can be vulnerable to interception. It also gives users more flexibility in how they secure their accounts.
Bijay Pokharel
Bijay Pokharel is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Abijita, an independent technology and cybersecurity news publication established in 2017. A specialist in cybersecurity journalism, Bijay covers vulnerability research, malware analysis, enterprise data breaches, digital privacy, and emerging technologies. His work translates complex technical threats into precise, accessible, and actionable intelligence for security professionals and general readers alike. His reporting and investigative coverage are routinely cited and republished across leading technology and security media.



