Tech

Google Titan Security Key review

Starting at $30, Google's Titan Security Key is designed to stop bad actors from taking over your online accounts. With both USB-C and NFC, you can be confident that this hardware security key will work with nearly every device you already own. We wish there was an easy way to manage your passkey, and it lacks some features found in similar products, but it's supported by industry giants, making it the obvious choice for those new to multi-factor authentication (MFA). If you're looking for a more sophisticated product for a little less, we recommend the $29 Yubico Security Key C NFC. It's affordable and easy to use, making it our Editors' Choice.

How much does the Google Titan Security Key cost?

Google sells the USB-A/NFC key for $30 and the USB-C/NFC key (the one reviewed here) for $35. The aforementioned Editors' Choice winner, the Yubico Security Key C, is $29.

Titan Security Key Features

The Google Titan Security Key uses FIDO2 authentication and encryption, allowing you to store passkeys on the device to log in to various sites across the web. Google offers a large amount of passkey storage, up to 250 resident passkeys, which is much more than the 100 passkeys allowed on Yubico's Security Key C. The Titan Security Key doesn't have a built-in way to see all your passkeys or delete them from the device, but with so much storage for passkeys, this isn't a big deal. That said, Yubico does have a companion app that allows you to see the passkeys and other tokens that are on your security key.

Since 1982, PCMag has tested and reviewed thousands of products to help you make better buying decisions. See how we test.

(Credit: Kim Kee)

The USB-C Titan Security Key lacks some of the more advanced features found in the more expensive Yubikey 5C NFC, a professional-level security device. This $55 key supports the latest authentication standards, doubles as a smart card, and can be configured to output a static password. It also supports the proprietary Yubico OTP system and works with OpenPGP. When paired with the Yubico Authenticator app, it can generate time-limited, one-time passcodes (OATH-TOTP). These features make it a great key for security professionals and those in business environments, but they go beyond the needs of first-time users, who Google is clearly targeting with the Titan Security Key.

Why do I need a security key?

Google hasn't provided much documentation about the Titan Security Key or where it's available on the web. Other companies have explained how their security keys fit into your cybersecurity toolkit, such as this post about the open authentication standards that Yubico's products support, or this list of services that accept hardware security keys, sponsored by Nitrokey and linked by Google.

Get hands-on with Titan Security Key

The USB-C Titan Security Key is diamond-shaped and made of white polycarbonate with silver accents. It's not as tiny as the latest Yubico keys, but it's small enough to hang on a keychain and sturdy enough. If you're looking for a device with an ultra-small form factor, check out the $69 Kensington VeriMark Guard.

Top to bottom: YubiKey 5C NFC, Google Titan Security Key (Credit: Kim Key)

The device has no moving parts, no batteries, and no network connection required. It has a standard USB-C connector on one end and a zinc-alloy reinforced hole on the other for your keyring. Just above the connector is a small LED that blinks when you connect it to a device, and above that is a silver touch-sensitivity circle. The Titan Security Key doesn't read your fingerprint, but you do need to tap a silver button when you log into a site, which is standard for all hardware MFA keys.

(Credit: Kim Kee)

To get started with your Titan Security Key, simply go to a site that supports hardware keys, find the settings for adding the key to your account, and follow the instructions on the site. The first time you use the key on a Windows machine, you'll be asked to create a PIN. If you forget your PIN,[設定]>[アカウント]>[サインインオプション]>[セキュリティキー]If you want to wipe your device and start over, you can do that from this section. After creating a PIN, registering the Titan Security Key with my test Google Account was easy, and I was able to log into Gmail on desktop and mobile without entering my password.

NFC allows you to use your key wirelessly with supported devices. To test this feature, I used a Samsung Galaxy A71. I logged out of the Google account I was using for testing and placed the key on the back of the Android. I was instantly logged into my Google account without any on-screen popups or key taps.

Past versions of the Google Titan Security Key have had trouble working with Microsoft accounts, but this time I had no trouble creating a passkey for my test account, saving it on the device, and using the passkey to log back in.

Conclusion: The Titan Security Key is a good start

The Titan Security Key is well-made and supports NFC and USB-C, so it will work with most of the devices you already own. It doesn't have the advanced authentication features of a high-end YubiKey, but it's a good starting point for the average user. That said, the Yubico Security Key C NFC is cheaper and offers the same security, making it our Editors' Choice winner and a recommended option for beginners.

Max Eddy contributed to this review.

Google Titan Security Key

Conclusion

Google's Titan Security Key, with NFC and USB-A and USB-C options, works with just about any device but doesn't offer much functionality beyond authentication.

What did you think when you read it?

This newsletter may contain ads, deals or affiliate links. By subscribing to our newsletter, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe from our newsletter at any time.

Sources

1/ https://Google.com/

2/ https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/google-titan-scurity-key

The mention sources can contact us to remove/changing this article

What Are The Main Benefits Of Comparing Car Insurance Quotes Online

LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2020, / Compare-autoinsurance.Org has launched a new blog post that presents the main benefits of comparing multiple car insurance quotes. For more info and free online quotes, please visit https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/the-advantages-of-comparing-prices-with-car-insurance-quotes-online/ The modern society has numerous technological advantages. One important advantage is the speed at which information is sent and received. With the help of the internet, the shopping habits of many persons have drastically changed. The car insurance industry hasn't remained untouched by these changes. On the internet, drivers can compare insurance prices and find out which sellers have the best offers. View photos The advantages of comparing online car insurance quotes are the following: Online quotes can be obtained from anywhere and at any time. Unlike physical insurance agencies, websites don't have a specific schedule and they are available at any time. Drivers that have busy working schedules, can compare quotes from anywhere and at any time, even at midnight. Multiple choices. Almost all insurance providers, no matter if they are well-known brands or just local insurers, have an online presence. Online quotes will allow policyholders the chance to discover multiple insurance companies and check their prices. Drivers are no longer required to get quotes from just a few known insurance companies. Also, local and regional insurers can provide lower insurance rates for the same services. Accurate insurance estimates. Online quotes can only be accurate if the customers provide accurate and real info about their car models and driving history. Lying about past driving incidents can make the price estimates to be lower, but when dealing with an insurance company lying to them is useless. Usually, insurance companies will do research about a potential customer before granting him coverage. Online quotes can be sorted easily. Although drivers are recommended to not choose a policy just based on its price, drivers can easily sort quotes by insurance price. Using brokerage websites will allow drivers to get quotes from multiple insurers, thus making the comparison faster and easier. For additional info, money-saving tips, and free car insurance quotes, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/ Compare-autoinsurance.Org is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc. "Online quotes can easily help drivers obtain better car insurance deals. All they have to do is to complete an online form with accurate and real info, then compare prices", said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company. CONTACT: Company Name: Internet Marketing CompanyPerson for contact Name: Gurgu CPhone Number: (818) 359-3898Email: [email protected]: https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/ SOURCE: Compare-autoinsurance.Org View source version on accesswire.Com:https://www.Accesswire.Com/595055/What-Are-The-Main-Benefits-Of-Comparing-Car-Insurance-Quotes-Online View photos