Google Is Considering QR Codes as an Alternative for SMS Authentication

Mark
Google Is Considering QR Codes as an Alternative for SMS Authentication
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SMS codes are starting to look outdated as a way to log in to apps and services. They have become vulnerable to fraud, with scammers using tricks like traffic pumping to get paid for fake messages. Plus, the security risks from mobile carriers can’t be ignored.

That’s why Gmail’s upcoming switch from SMS codes to QR codes is a step in the right direction. According to sources, Google is moving away from SMS-based verification. Instead, users will scan QR codes for authentication.

This method cuts down on the risks that come with SMS, like people accidentally sharing their codes with scammers.

Not only is QR code authentication safer, but it also eliminates the need for carriers, which have their own security weaknesses. While it’s unclear exactly when this will happen, it’s definitely a much-needed upgrade for Gmail users.

Scanning a QR code with your phone’s camera is far more secure than typing in a six-digit SMS code. This change will make logging in safer, and it’s about time.

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Mark is the kind of person who gets way too excited about new software updates and can’t resist taking apart gadgets—just to see if they can put them back together. With years of experience in tech journalism and a love for all things digital, Mark writes about the stories behind the screens, from game-changing innovations to the everyday tech that keeps life running smoothly. Outside of work, they’re the go-to “tech support” for friends and family, whether it’s fixing a printer that won’t cooperate or explaining why Grandma’s laptop keeps showing pop-ups. When Mark isn’t glued to their screen, they’re probably building their dream PC, rewatching sci-fi movies for the hundredth time, or testing a gadget that promises to “change everything.” Spoiler: they’ll let you know if it actually does.