Google has announced a new feature for Google Wallet designed to streamline online purchases made via desktop computers. The cross-device payment verification system replaces traditional SMS-based security codes with a direct smartphone notification. Instead of waiting for and manually entering a text message code, users can confirm a transaction by authenticating their identity directly on their mobile device using fingerprint scanning , facial recognition , or a standard screen lock pattern. Industry experts note that this biometric approach offers enhanced security compared to text message verification. SMS-based codes are increasingly vulnerable to SIM-swap attacks , a fraudulent technique where bad actors seize control of a victim’s phone number to intercept incoming messages. By requiring physical, biometric authentication tied to the specific hardware of the user’s smartphone, this update mitigates the risk of remote interception.…