Long gone are the days when a strong password was enough to protect you. In today’s day and age, 2FA (two-factor authentication) is the way to go, and a lot of services are increasingly incorporating it in their platforms. Google is pushing 2FA hard and even released a dedicated Titan chip that makes it easier for businesses to use the technology. Today, Google announced some important changes that make using 2FA a lot easier to use on Google G Suite accounts. The browser UI is getting an update, and support for Bluetooth security keys is expanding. According to Google’s blog post:
We hope that these updates make 2-Step Verification easier to use. 2-Step Verification puts an extra barrier between your business and cybercriminals who want to access business data. Turning on 2-Step Verification is the single most important thing you can do to make your accounts more secure and protect your business.
G-Suite users will now notice a new 2-step screen when logging into a G Suite account with security keys. The changes include new illustrations, text, and instructions on how to get set up and use existing keys. The interface will vary depending on the browser you use.
Related Google’s 2FA Titan Security Keys Available Starting Today at the Google Store
Google is also announcing expanded support for third-party Bluetooth security keys. Previously, you’d have to purchase the company’s Titan key if you wanted Bluetooth two-step support. The keys can be enabled with a flag on Linux. It is unlikely that the feature will make its way to the non-enterprise version of Google services anytime soon. While there’s no denying that hardware-based 2FA is the most secure way to go, it is a little overkill for your average Joe unless you’re hiding something really important in your personal emails.
