[ad_1]
Google announced updates to its Titan security key line on Monday, simplifying it by removing one product and bringing NFC to all of its keys. The company will now offer two options: one has a USB-A connector, the other has USB-C, and both have NFC to connect to “most mobile devices”. The USB-A stick will retail for $ 30, and the USB-C stick will retail for $ 35 when it goes on sale August 10.
One of the biggest changes in Google’s new lineup is an updated USB-C dongle, which added NFC support. Google’s old USB-C option, made in collaboration with Yubico, did not support the wireless standard. Now, choosing between USB-C and A is easy, as there aren’t any features one has that the other doesn’t. It is simply a matter of which ports your computer has. Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether Yubico was involved in the new key.
According to Google’s support document, its Titan security keys can be used to protect your Google Account as well as with third-party apps and services that support FIDO standards, such as 1Password. These, along with other security keys from companies like Yubico, can serve as a second factor in securing your account even if an attacker obtains your username and password. They also fight phishing because they won’t authenticate a connection to a bogus website that tries to steal your credentials. Titan Keys also work with Google’s Advanced Protection Program, which is designed to provide additional security for people whose accounts may be targeted.
Google’s current USB-A security dongle already includes NFC and sells for $ 25. The USB-A plus NFC drive that Google lists in its blog post will sell for $ 30, but it comes with a USB-C adapter. The USB-A drive currently listed in the store does not include one, unless purchased as part of a (sold out) bundle, according to Google’s specs page.
Google’s NFC / Bluetooth / USB dongle, which was released to the public in 2018, will no longer be sold as part of the updated lineup. It is already listed as sold out on the Google store page. The Google blog post says it is ditching the Bluetooth model so it can focus on “easier and more widely available NFC capability.”
While the updated Titan dongle range appears to lack a Bluetooth option, it’s nice to see that the USB-C dongle gets NFC. If you live the MacBook / iPhone lifestyle, you will be able to use the updated USB-C plus NFC without any dongle. Google says in its blog post that the Bluetooth / NFC / USB dongle will still work over Bluetooth and NFC “on most modern mobile devices.” Google’s Titan Security Key store page currently lists older models, but Google’s post says the updated lineup will be available from August 10.
[ad_2]
Source link