In a groundbreaking move, Google has announced sweeping security enhancements for Gmail users that will redefine digital security. Say goodbye to traditional two-factor authentication (2FA). The tech giant is rolling out innovative, top-tier security upgrades designed to provide strong protection without the hassle of current methods.
Approximately 2 billion people use the free Gmail email service, and more than 300 billion emails are sent every day.It’s no wonder that Google accounts, which open the door to Gmail data, have become a prime target for criminals and state-sponsored hackers. Google’s Advanced Protection Program is available to high-risk users such as politicians, activists, and journalists, providing the most secure option to access their accounts. This was previously costly as a hardware security key was required as a two-factor authentication method. Google has finally announced that users who sign up for the APP can use a passkey instead of a hardware security key to use as an all-in-one login method without a password. Individual 2FA credentials.
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Passkeys now replaces hardware keys and 2FA in Google’s Advanced Protection Program
Shuvo ChatterjeeGoogle’s Advanced Protection Program Product Lead, Passkey is now available as part of the APP registration process Effective immediately, this app is the strongest level of protection for your Google Account, providing additional protection against the most common attacks, such as phishing and malware, that are frequently used against high-risk Gmail users. In fact, you don’t have to be in a high-risk profession to be vulnerable to these attacks, which makes this app a safe solution for most users.
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Many users have been hesitant to take this next-level security step because it would remove the financial burden of purchasing not just one but two hardware security keys to use during the registration process, and Google’s announcement means the program is now open to a much larger user base.
“Passkey gives high-risk users the option to rely on the convenience and security they get from using the personal devices they already own.” Chatterjee said:“This is in contrast to a separate device or tool, such as a security key, for phishing-resistant authentication.”
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What is a passkey and why should I use one?
Passkey is, according to Google, an alternative way to authenticate yourself to services, and is an easier and more secure way than a password. “It’s phishing-resistant, so users are protected from fraudulent emails and the like.” Chatterjee said ease of use is built in because of authentication through facial recognition, fingerprint recognition or a PIN using a device such as a smartphone. In terms of ease of use, Passkey is used by default without a password, but can also be used in conjunction with a password as a second factor if needed. Because it’s a separate password, you don’t have to remember it or type it into a computer or mobile device. It’s also said to be more secure because it’s tied to a device, specifically a smartphone, and isn’t stored on a server where it could be subject to hacking or phishing attacks.
Registering an app using a passkey is easy. App start page And choose Registering with a passkey If the option is provided. A passkey can be used to replace both your password credentials and the 2FA portion of your login, but if you ever need to regain access to your account, Google will require you to choose a recovery method. This can be a phone number, email address, individual passkey, or hardware key. These combinations will be used in the process of regaining access to your account, which is necessarily more difficult if it’s part of the app.
summary:
Our latest innovations aim to change that: our new security upgrades leverage advanced technology to streamline the user experience while providing better protection against cyber threats.
