google-physical-key

Two-step verification is believed to be the answer for many of today’s security problems. When the infamous iCloud hack happened and Apple confirmed that its servers were never actually breached, it recommended that users turn on two-step verification. Google has been offering this extra layer of protection to its users for quite some time now but it has introduced a new method of strengthening this layer and it involves a physical USB.

Two-step verification requires you to enter a code that’s sent to your phone when you’re signing into your account through an unfamiliar device. Since hackers usually can’t read your texts it becomes much harder for them to break in.

Now security conscious users can add another layer of security. Called Security Key, it enables the USB drive to act as a physical key, and access is provided to the account only when it is ascertained that the site being accessed is truly a Google site and not a fake site that’s just pretending to be a Google site.

So it eliminates the need to enter a code. When prompted just plug in the USB and you’re good to go. However keep in mind that this does not work with every USB drive. You will require one that supports the Universal 2nd Factor (U2F) protocol from the FIDO Alliance, and it only works in the Chrome browser and Chrome OS.

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