Pierluigi Paganini July 30, 2018

Google will start offering Titan Security Keys to provide a further layer of security to its users and protect them from Phishing and MiTM attacks.

Google announced at Google Cloud Next ’18 convention in San Francisco the launch of the Titan Security Keys,  a USB device that is used as part of its hardware-based two-factor authentication scheme for online accounts.

“Titan Security Key, available now to Cloud customers, and coming soon to the Google Store” states a blog post published by Google.

The hardware-based two-factor authentication scheme is designed to prevent account takeover with phishing and MiTM attacks when the attacker has gained access to user’s credentials.

Google shared data related to the use of physical security keys by its personnel for months, the tech giant confirmed that none of its 85,000 employees that used the hardware-based two-factor authentication key has fallen victim to phishing attacks.

“We have had no reported or confirmed account takeovers since implementing security keys at Google” a Google spokesperson said. 

“Users might be asked to authenticate using their security key for many different apps/reasons. It all depends on the sensitivity of the app and the risk of the user at that point in time.”

The authentication through the physical USB security key is more secure compared to other processes.

Titan Security Keys is based on the Fast IDentity Online (FIDO) Alliance, U2F (universal 2nd factor) protocol and was entirely designed by Google.

The Titan Security Key is available in both USB and Bluetooth versions, Google will offer it for sale in the Google’s online store within the next few months.

Log-in to Mobile devices will require a Bluetooth wireless device.

Google did not reveal the price for Titan Security Keys, but rumors say it will be available for around $20 or $30.

The Titan keys will be compatible with major browsers (i.e Chrome, Firefox, and Opera) and many online services, including Dropbox, Facebook, Github.

Pierluigi Paganini

(Security Affairs – Titan Security Keys, authentication)

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