Better Two-Factor Security from Google Titan

This article is an amusing collision between our last two topics – the problems with two-factor and multi-factor authentication and our four-part story on Google’s data mining habits.  Google has developed and released their Titan MFA security key as a more secure way to implement multi-factor authentication that can’t be attacked through phishing and man-in-the-middle exploits.  So if you can stand turning another part of your online life over to the tender mercies of Google, here is the story on Google Titan.

Titan comes in two versions – USB, similar in size and form factor to YubiKey, and a Bluetooth enabled fob.  The Bluetooth device allows users to connect the Titan to smartphones, tablets, and Bluetooth enabled laptops.  This puts true 2FA security into the hands of smartphone users in a simple to use package.

Titan conforms to the FIDO open source authentication framework, and relies on the U2F (universal second factor) protocol.  So these devices will work with any website that recognizes FIDO and U2F authentication.

Advantages of Titan over a smartphone app such as Google Authenticator or an RSA token are these:  First, some newer phishing exploits have developed a way to spoof not only the password login screen, but also a second 2FA entry box as well.  Once they get the 6 digit pin, they replay it on the genuine site and log in as you.  This takes speed and timing to pull off, but it is possible.  Other methods have been developed that simply by-pass the need to the 2FA code.

Having a physical device such as Titan takes the 2FA process out of the cloud and off the network and locates it in a local device in your possession.  The only way for an attacker to get through is to have your password and physical access to your Titan key.

The Titan bundle of both the USB key and Bluetooth fob is around $50 in the Google store.  Either device may be purchased individually for about $25.

Compared to YubiKey, Titan is more expensive ($50 to YubiKey’s $20).  Titan has Bluetooth capability, Yubikey does not.  YubiKey is made in the USA, Titan is manufactured in China.

I am strongly considering moving from the Authenticator app to A FIDO based security key.  The Bluetooth connectivity of the Titan is a plus for me.  You might give this some consideration yourself.

 

 

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About the Author:

I am a cybersecurity and IT instructor, cybersecurity analyst, pen-tester, trainer, and speaker. I am an owner of the WyzCo Group Inc. In addition to consulting on security products and services, I also conduct security audits, compliance audits, vulnerability assessments and penetration tests. I also teach Cybersecurity Awareness Training classes. I work as an information technology and cybersecurity instructor for several training and certification organizations. I have worked in corporate, military, government, and workforce development training environments I am a frequent speaker at professional conferences such as the Minnesota Bloggers Conference, Secure360 Security Conference in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, the (ISC)2 World Congress 2016, and the ISSA International Conference 2017, and many local community organizations, including Chambers of Commerce, SCORE, and several school districts. I have been blogging on cybersecurity since 2006 at http://wyzguyscybersecurity.com

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