Google announces new Titan security keys with NFC

Google’s Titan key has been credited with eliminate phishing attacks against Google employees, and this week, Google is updating its line of security dongles with broader support for NFC.

In a new Google Security Blog, Google explains that in the future, its Titan security keys will only be available in two configurations: a dongle with a USB-A connector and a dongle with a USB-C connector, both models supporting NFC.

The impetus behind the change is that Google says that with most Android phones and iPhones supporting NFC, support for Bluetooth has become somewhat redundant. On top of that, some security researchers claiming that the Bluetooth protocol has become too complex and a potential source of security exploits, the switch to NFC is expected to further improve Titan Key’s security credentials.

Fortunately, Google says anyone who already has an old Titan Key with Bluetooth will be able to continue using their dongle as normal, with Google continuing to honor warranties on all existing devices.

Now Google says choosing between USB-A and USB-C Titan Key dongles is as easy as choosing the one that works with the ports on your computer. Users can rely on NFC when using the Titan Key with their phone, or simply plug it into their computer when using a Titan Key with a laptop or desktop computer.

The only other difference apart from the connector provided on the dongle is that the USB-C model costs $ 5 more ($ 35) than the USB-A version ($ 30), although Google says the USB-A model is Comes with a USB port – Adapter A to USB-C included.

Google’s Titan Key is based on Google’s Titan chip and was originally released in 2018 as a Google take on similar gadgets from Yubikey and others. And aside from the Titan key itself, Google has also included the Titan chip in other Google devices dating back as far as the Pixel 3 to help improve the security of the device.

The new Google Titan key with NFC is available today on the Google Store.