Samsung turned on two-factor authentication after data breach revealed private information from strangers, says reports.
The initiative started this week after a problem that caused about 150 users to see private account data including phone numbers, names and addresses of people they did not know.
Samsung has not officially stated that the data breach was the source of the security. An update to the Samsung account application shows where Samsung is making the change “mandatory” for all of its users.
Two-factor authentication is not new to Samsung, as it has been an option for quite some time, and many can choose it when setting up their device early. Two-factor authentication involves the use of SMS (short message service) to prove the identity of a person and connect to accounts.
Samsung does not, however, require people to log into their accounts. When someone signs out of their Samsung account, the new security is activated when they reconnect. It is unknown how long Samsung has been applying this policy.
In other Samsung news, the company recently announced that with its new Galaxy S20 phones, it is offering customers 5G devices even if they don’t use this feature. The phone is also $ 250 more expensive than the Galaxy S10, released last year.
The Galaxy Z flip is the only phone the company is launching without 5G. The new technology increases the coverage, speed and responsiveness of wireless networks.
Some reports indicate that phones are 10 to 100 times faster than an ordinary cellular connection, and this is the greatest leap forward since the introduction of 4G a decade ago.
A Counterpoint Research report said that 5G phones only accounted for around 1% of the total market share last year, which is expected to reach 18% this year.
“We think this is the year of the generalization of 5G. 5G will give consumers a reason to upgrade, “said Suzanne De Silva, product management and marketing manager for Samsung Electronics America.