Although Android 16 has now launched, at least for some device users, and brought with it long-overdue and highly welcome new security protections, users of Google Messages will need to wait a little longer for one critical update. Don’t worry, this Google Messages update is coming to an Android device near you very soon indeed, and it really is an anti-scam security game-changer. Here’s everything you need to know about the new key verifier feature.
Key Verifier — A Critical Google Messages Security Update
Although there’s no doubt that Android 16 is a step up in security terms, particularly when it comes to anti-scam protections such as preventing the user from disabling Google Play Protect, sideloading an app or changing app accessibility permission during a call, there is still more work to be done. The good news is not only that Google knows this, but it is acting upon it. I don’t use the term critical lightly, when it comes to cybersecurity that would be a poor show indeed, but if ever a new security function deserved the epithet, then Key Verifier for Google Messages is it.
Dave Kleidermacher, the vice president of engineering with Google’s Android security and privacy team, described the key verifier for Google Messages as providing “an extra layer of assurance that the person on the other end is genuine” when in conversation with someone.
How Key Verifier For Google Messages Works
The technical explanation is that the key verifier function is a tool that validates the identity of the person you are in conversation with when using Google Messages by way of public encryption keys that protect the end-to-end messaging. It verifies the contact keys in your Google Contacts, either by you scanning a QR code (yes, I know, but anti-scam protections can also use tools that are abused by scammers) or straightforward number comparison.
The non-technical explanation, as Kleidermacher explained, is that it provides a visual way to easily and efficiently confirm that these secret encryption keys match. “If an attacker gains access to a friend’s phone number and uses it on another device to send you a message,” Kleidermacher said, “their contact’s verification status will be marked as no longer verified in the Google Contacts app, suggesting your friend’s account may be compromised or has been changed.”
When To Expect This Google Messages Security Update
Is it perfect? No. Can it provide a 100% guarantee that you are not being scammed? No. Is it a critical weapon in the fight against scammers? Heck yes. Anti-scam protection revolves around a central hub of trust, and the Google Messages key verifier will add confidence to your communications that you are in conversation with the person you think you are, and not a scammer.
“Key Verifier will launch later this summer in Google Messages on Android 10+ devices,” Kleidermacher confirmed. Not long to wait, but in the meantime, continue to be careful out there and stay alert to the phishing threat.