KATHMANDU, June 18 -- Google has issued an urgent warning to 1.8 billion Gmail users worldwide to secure their accounts immediately. The company has stated that failure to comply could result in the account being permanently blocked.

To strengthen account security, Google has made two-step verification mandatory. In addition to a password, users will be required to use a code sent to their smartphone, an authentication app, or a physical security key. Google has started sending account-specific emails and login notifications to users, providing a deadline of 15 to 30 days to comply.

This move has been taken to control the growing problem of spam, phishing, and fake emails. Although Google's artificial intelligence has been effective in ...