Google has recently added a new option in their 2-step
verification system when logging into its services. The Security Key is a
physical USB device that can be used as a second factor verification when you’re
signing in into a Google site.
Existing methods for two-step verification include either
sending the code to a user’s phone to verify their identity or generating a
code using an app. However, there are some instances where these two methods
might not be available to the user and a having a dedicated key at hand is the
most convenient way to access an account securely.
There are a few conditions though before using this method.
For starters, it only works when you’re trying to access a Google site using
Chrome. Also, only devices that support the FIDO authentication standard can be
used as a security key. Another thing to note is that some companies have
expressed their interest in the technology including Microsoft, Alibaba and
Paypal.
