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Google understands that a human entered
numerical and character based password will never be as secure as a
physical item and for that reason the company is exploring physical item
encryption options.
In a new research paper published by the company in the January issue of the IEEE Security & Privacy Magazine, Google suggests that requiring physical items for password entry could be the future of internet security.
One area Google is investigating would be the inclusion of embedded
chips inside of smartphones. Since a majority of people now carry
smartphones this would be the most obvious option. Google has also
considered a ring that would be worn on the users finger.
The most prominent discussion is a YubiKey cryptographic card which
automatically logs a user into their Google account when it is inserted
into a computer’s USB drive. The card required a slightly modified
version of Google Chrome but does not require password entire or software installs.
While Google already offers two-step authentication, the company
realizes that phishing attempts from fake sites masquerading as part of
the Google family have managed to steal authentication passwords from
users.
The nice part about a physical pass device is that it could be used
in conjunction with Google passwords, allowing for an extra layer of
security. As more company’s move towards Google managed email solutions
the company could find itself selling physical security devices to
clients, creating a new layer of profitability for its otherwise free
and cheap enterprise level email services.
The real question will be whether or not Google
account holders will be willing to sacrifice a little bit of
convenience by being required to carry around a device that could break,
leaving them without access to their Google account until a replacement
can be sent.
Would you like to use a physical device to secure your Google account?
