Aug 1, 2011 13:49 GMT  ·  By

Earlier this year, Google debuted two-step verification, for more secure logins. But the feature was only available for users running the English-language version. Not anymore, Google is rolling out the feature in 40 languages and 150 of its localized websites.

With two-step verification, or authentication, users have to provide a unique code along with their account credentials.

This code is only available via their phones, ensuring that unauthorized persons, with no access to the phone, can't get in even if their credentials have been compromised, or at least making it significantly harder.

"Earlier this year, we introduced a security feature called 2-step verification that helps protect your Google Account from threats like password compromise and identity theft," Nishit Shah, Product Manager, Google Security, wrote.

"People have told us how much they like the feature, which is why we're thrilled to offer 2-step verification in 40 languages and in more than 150 countries," he announced.

"There’s never been a better time to set it up: Examples in the news of password theft and data breaches constantly remind us to stay on our toes and take advantage of tools to properly secure our valuable online information," he warned.

Two-step verification is by no means bulletproof, nothing is, but it offers much better security for the average user. Depending on the preferences, the security code has to be provided either for each login or every time there's a login via a new browser.

The code is sent by Google via SMS or, if you have a smartphone, you can install the Google Authenticator app which displays a temporary code.

Two-step authentication is more of a hassle than regular logins, as the name implies it requires an extra step. It also means that you have to generate unique passwords for applications that rely on your Google credentials but have not implemented a UI for providing the security code.