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Why Google Wants You to Upgrade Gmail Security (Passkeys & 2FA Guide)

Recent data shows that the online crime rate has increased significantly in 2025, with an average of 2000 cyber attacks occurring daily. According to the FBI, online scams witnessed a 33% rise last year, touching a record number of $16.6 billion.

Despite the robust security measures, various famous companies have also fallen for hacks. Last month, Google admitted that hackers had targeted 61% of its U.S. consumers through Gmail attacks, making your email security an important thing to consider.

This article delves into the insights from Google’s latest reveal about data breaches and security concerns and examines the possible solutions. Let’s get started.

Nearly One-Third of Americans Involved in Security Breach

Google’s latest survey, in partnership with Morning Consult, reveals that nearly a third of the US consumers have been involved in a security/data breach. The majority of these passwords were very easy to guess, revealing a subconscious trust in the platform.

However, roughly half of them received alerts about the breach instantly. Email Services were the primary source of scam attempts, and most of them fell victim due to not upgrading their security with Google.

SourcePercentage
Via Email61%
Via Text Messages56%
Via Phone Call37%
Via Social Media27%
Via pop-ups18%
Additional Sources1%

Google Observes Security Measures Differ by Generation

According to the survey, there are clear differences between the security practices of various generations. Most users, including Generation X, Baby Boomers, and many Millennials, continue to use passwords as their primary sign-in option. More convenient methods, such as “Sign in with Google,” are used by only 30% of them.

60% of Gen Z users spend at least five hours per day online, during which they go through various sign-ins. Luckily, most of these sign-ins are social sign-ins, making the navigation secure. Gen Z tends to use the most secure tools rather than mere passwords.

TypeGen ZMillennialsGen XBaby Boomers
Using unique & strong passwords50%51%63%72%
Enabling 2FA46%47%48%47%
Social Sign-Ins45%44%38%30%
Regular Password update23%34%36%47%
Usage of Passkeys40%38%35%26%
No security practice at all4%7%5%4%
Not sure what I use5%3%5%3%
Another practice1%1%1%3%

Why Google Warns All Gmail Users To Upgrade Their Accounts?

Gmail

Google urges its 2 million users to upgrade to a post-password scenario where signing in becomes as easy and secure as possible. Google allows users to create passkeys, easier alternatives to passwords, which let you sign in with your fingerprint, face scan, or screen lock.

If a user still wants to use a password, they can add extra layers of security through 2-Step Verification (2FA), the Google Authenticator App, or Google Password Manager. However, an upgrade from passwords is preferred, and most of the tech world is moving towards such a workspace to decrease the percentage of attacks.

How to Secure Yourself from Hackers?

According to Google, old methods like passwords are painful to maintain and vulnerable to easy hacks. So, the best way is to shift to safer non-password sign-ins. As said in the above section, Google’s upgraded security system, which uses AI-powered spam detection to remove 99.9% of spam in real time, will be the best way to stay secure.

In the case of security measures, the utility score reveals that real-time threat detection is the most important security feature one needs in the device. With the changing behaviour of modern crimes, it is important to stay safe at all times. Here is a full table of utility score:

Security ProductUtility Score
Real-time threat protection287
Data loss prevention111
VPN integration95
Multi-device protection92
Data encryption91
24/7 customer support89
Data activity monitoring76
User-friendly interface59
Parental access controls52
Automatic updates48

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Final Thoughts

According to Evan Kotsovinos, Vice President of Google’s Privacy, Safety & Security, users should move beyond passwords altogether and keep the signing-in process as simple and secure as possible. Google’s latest progress in this confirms that it is practically possible, and Gen Z users are the earliest followers of this!

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