How to Use an Android device as a 2FA Physical Security Key 1

How to Use an Android device as a 2FA Physical Security Key

A few years ago, two-factor authentication was unheard of for general consumers. However, over the past few years, Google has pushed 2FA a lot. Google likes to call it 2-Step Verification (Two-Step Verification) and promotes it as an important measure to make Google account even more secure. While Google didn’t make it mandatory to turn on 2FA, it encouraged its users to have an extra layer of security. The company is also constantly improving its 2FA.

Recently, Google released a new physical authentication system that can be used by anyone with an Android device running Android 7.0 and higher. This is really impressive and much more reliable than the onscreen Google Prompt. In this article, we’ll show you how you can enable physical 2FA and why it’s better than the onscreen Google prompt.

Add Android Device as Security Key to your Google Account

one. 2-Step Verification page and sign in to your Google account. Here, Click on “Get started”.

2. Scroll down and Click “Add Security Key”.

Add Android Device as Security Key to your Google Account 2

3. It will show all Android devices connected to your Google account. Here, select your Android device for the security key. Note that you need to turn on both Bluetooth and location on the Android device of your choice.

Add Android Device as Security Key to your Google Account 3 4. Finally, Add the device as your physical security key and you’re done.

Add Android Device as Security Key to your Google Account 45. Finally, your Android device will be added as a security key.

Add Android Device as Security Key to your Google Account 5

6. Now every time you log into your Google account, a prompt will appear on your Android device. The login request can be confirmed with the volume down button.

How to Use an Android device as a 2FA Physical Security Key 4Note: We’ve tried testing this feature on multiple devices, including the Pixel 3 XL running Android Q beta, but it doesn’t seem like the feature is available for everyone yet. It could be a phased rollout as Google says the feature is still in beta. However, the web settings are live and you can enable them right away.

How Is Physical Device 2FA Different From Google Prompt?

Google Prompt uses a simple authentication method where it asks the user to sign in with the Yes and No buttons. However, any automation application with the correct permissions can handle such login requests, so authentication is on-screen and does not require physical authentication. This creates a security loop hole that the new physical device 2FA does not have.

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Hardware buttons to authenticate a login request is a physical process that cannot be bypassed by a software attack. In addition, Google uses Bluetooth and location information to accurately verify the physical presence of the user. On top of that, Google distributes FIDO technology (Online Quick Identity) is a much more robust technique for authenticating login requests. All these improvements make the physical security key a much better alternative than any other authentication system.

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Have You Considered Enabling 2FA on Your Account?

The Internet is expanding at a dizzying pace, and so are phishing attempts. 2FA can truly secure your account, and with the new “Android is your physical key” approach, the web can become much more secure for everyone. Google is doing great work in making the web a safe place, and we hope that continues. If you have any suggestions or questions, you can comment below and we will try to clear your doubts.

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