A million two-factor authentication codes sent via SMS passed through an obscure third-party company. Here's how it happened and why it's a problem.

An investigation into the complexity of the global telecom system shows weaknesses in the transmission of secret codes sent ...

It's not safe to have security codes texted to your phone. Luckily, there are other ways to log into your accounts.

In an effort to curb global SMS scams, Google is planning to shift away from SMS two-factor authentication. Instead, Google will prompt users to scan a QR code to authenticate their phone numbers ...

In either case, you won’t be able to get an SMS code. You can try switching to another phone number, if you have one. If it’s an IP ban, you can try changing the IP using a VPN.

Until Google implements the QR code method, you can use 2FA apps instead of SMS verification. Using these apps ensures that you don’t have to worry about phishing attacks or traffic-pumping fraud.

This move is meant to curb the impact of rampant SMS 2FA abuse. While SMS codes are convenient, they can be spoofed by criminals who steal your SIM card or stolen via phishing tactics.

Google will soon phase out SMS-based two-factor authentication in favor of QR codes. The company will use various techniques, including attempting to verify the user’s number directly with their ...

ZDNET. Google is aiming to dump SMS as a two-factor authentication method for Gmail and switch to a more secure approach using QR codes. Reducing SMS abuse ...

But while SMS codes are better than using no two-factor authentication at all, the approach comes with its own security risks. Criminals can trick or force users into sharing a code that’s been ...

SMS 2FA isn't secure enough. It's surprisingly easy to get hold of an SMS code. If someone steals your smartphone, for example, they'll be able to access all of the SMS codes it receives.

Google plans to replace SMS codes with QR codes for account verification. If you're logging into Gmail, one current authentication option is a six-digit code sent via SMS. However, this method has ...