Google has released a new update for physical keys security that are part of two-factor authentication . 2FA) ( This provides greater protection for Google accounts and makes it easier to set up security keys on Android and macOS devices .
Google users can use Security Keys on Android devices running Android 7.0 “N” and later, using Chrome 70 (and later). Keys can also be registered on macOS devices running Safari version 13.0.4 or later .
Google’s new update to physical keys helps users who adopt two-factor authentication (2FA) protect their accounts from phishing and other attacks, particularly targeted attacks by state-sponsored hacking groups. This is a major hurdle to phishing attacks, as in order to log in to a Google account, you must have physical access to the security key, which can be a smartphone or a USB, like Google’s Titan Keys or Yubico’s hardware security keys.
A Google engineer revealedin 2018 that of users have two-factor authentication (2FA) enabled on their Gmail accounts. The main reason for this is that the process is not easy and user-friendly. Even developers and other professionals, who should be paying more attention to security, are not using tools like 2FA to a large extent.
The company doesn't want to force users to adopt 2FA because it fears it will backfire and drive users away. On the other hand, Mozilla has required all developers to implement 2FA to reduce the risk being compromised after attacks on developer accounts.
Google hasn't required anything, but it is trying to boost adoption of this protectionowners iPhone to use their device as a security key for their Google accounts.
The Chrome-Android and Safari-macOS update for account security keys also applies to Google's Advanced Protection Program , which is aimed at "high-risk" users like CEOs, politicians, and journalists.
“By making it easier to register security keys , we hope that more and more users will be able to take advantage of the protection they offer,” Google explains.
