Google Improves G Suite By Adding Two-Step Verification With Security Keys

Security is a must, especially since people are becoming increasingly worried about how hackers are getting better and better in doing their job.

G Suite is a brand of cloud computing, productivity and collaboration tools, software and products developed by Google.

And here, the company has launched two-step verification system to G Suite, allowing users to easily lock down their account if anything goes wrong.

Starting with the interface itself, Google is showing some instructions through text and images to walk users through the process of setting up a security key.

Available on both mobile and desktop devices, the process is tailored specifically for different browsers.

What this means, users using Chrome should get a different experience to users using Apple's Safari web browser, for example. Previously, the service provider (Google) was responsible for showing these dialog boxes. As a result, the flow may be different on each browser.

This two-step verification is compatible with all G Suite editions, and is rolling out to all users (it may take up to 14 days for all users to receive this update). Until then, the feature is switched on by default.

The new verification method is available on both mobile and desktop devices.

The old two-step verification screen
The old two-step verification screen

In the update, Google has also expanded Bluetooth security key support.

What this means, users can unlock their device in other ways and don’t necessarily rely on the proprietors Titan key.

Google is promising "expanded" wireless key support, and users can enable the feature through a flag if they're using Linux.

Google said that:

"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."

Related: Google 'Advanced Protection Program' Is To Keep People Safe By Trading Off Conveniences

The new two-step verification screen on Google Chrome browser
The new two-step verification screen on Google Chrome browser

Explaining two-step verification, Google said that it's easy for someone to steal users' password.

For example, if users use the same password for more than one site, or if they frequently download things from the internet, or when carelessly clicking on links in email messages.

"Any of these common actions could put you at risk of having your password stolen," said Google on its two-step verification page.

If ever hackers get their hands on users' credentials, these people can access users account without their knowledge. Including locking them out of their account, delete emails, contacts and photos, pretend to be the users and send unwanted and harmful emails to contacts.

Worse, hackers can also reset the passwords for other accounts, such as those for shopping sites and banking accounts.

Two-step verification here can help, as it adds another layer of security on top of the usual username - password combination.

With it, anyone willing to access an account, is required to do two authentication methods performed one after the other to verify that the person requesting access is indeed who he/she has declared to be.

Read: Tips In Creating A Strong Password That's Hard To Guess But Easy To Remember

Published: 
26/03/2019