Millions of Android owners to receive major free upgrade that can help prevent bank-raiding attacks

GOOGLE has rolled out a new verification feature for Android users to use in their Wallet app which can help prevent bank-raiding attacks.

It essentially lets users choose whether to lock the bank cards in their Google Wallet behind a fingerprint ID or pin and is available from today.

With all the information stored on smartphones these days, such as credit card information, a pick-pocket attack can be incredibly costly

This acts as an extra line of defence against thieves who have stolen the device.

Or, it can speed up transactions.

“Choose if you’ll need to verify it’s you when using your items stored in Wallet,” says Google.

“You’ll verify using your device lock setting, like fingerprint or PIN.”

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In some countries, you don’t need to unlock your device for “smaller payments,” ranging from €25 threshold in Belgium to €50 in Germany.

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Android owners can only make a limited number of locked transactions before their phone asks them to unlock it – to avoid a thief going on a shopping spree with your cash.

But in the US and other countries, “Unlock is required for all transactions except for transit” – just like on the iPhone.

How to use new Google Wallet lock

According to 9to5Google, all Android owners need to do is follow these steps:

Open Google Wallet
Tap the profile image
Select Wallet settings
Scroll to the new Security tab
Open the Verification settings
Here you’ll find a Transit payments option which lets you change your verification settings