Contact us today!
866-348-2602

Total Tech Care Blog

Total Tech Care has been serving Florida since 2001, providing IT Support such as technical helpdesk support, computer support, and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses.

Tip of the Week: Your Phone Can Work as Your Security Key

Tip of the Week: Your Phone Can Work as Your Security Key

If you’re like most people nowadays, your mobile phone is currently well within your reach (and that’s assuming you aren’t reading this blog on it). The fact that most people keep their phone on them at all times has greatly contributed to these devices becoming a part of any given work-related process. One major way is the implementation of two-factor authentication, which we’ll discuss as a part of this week’s tip.

As we begin, it is important that we acknowledge that the Android operating system has been granted FIDO2 certification. In other words, the FIDO (Fast IDentity Online) Alliance has given the Android OS their seal of approval in regard to the authentication standards that the Alliance has set.

What Does This Mean?

In very simple terms, any Android device running 7.0 or higher with the latest Google Chrome update installed can be used as part of a two-factor authentication strategy - more specifically, as a security key. This includes the support that FIDO2 offers for onboard fingerprint scanners as a means of identity authentication. Currently, this authentication standard is only supported by Android, with no indication of Apple devices incorporating it.

In no uncertain terms, this all means that passwords may soon be phased out.

Abandoning Passwords

Passwords have been the standardized form of authenticating one’s identity for quite some time, despite the potential issues that are present with them. How often have we seen just how many ways a determined cybercriminal has to obtain a password? Between insecure databases filled with credentials and unfortunately successful phishing schemes, millions of accounts have been exposed - and that isn’t even taking all the times an insecure password was guessed into account.

The biggest weakness that any password has is the fact that it can be shared at all, that someone other than the owner can use it. Over any other reason, this is why FIDO2 is likely to become as popular as it is expected to be. When was the last time you successfully shared a thumbprint with someone, after all? Furthermore, FIDO2 keeps all of the information that is pulled from its biometrics onboard the device, keeping it safe from being stolen on the Internet.

As an added bonus, FIDO2 won’t allow the user to input their fingerprint’s biometric data into websites that don’t have sufficient security measures in place.

How to Use Your Android Device as a FIDO2 Security Key

In order to leverage your Android device as a security key, you need to make sure that it meets a few benchmarks. First and foremost, you’ll need to be running at least Android 7.0, with the latest version of Chrome installed. You will also need to have Bluetooth activated, and a Google account with two-step verification enabled.

This is somewhat simple to do. Logging into your Google account, access the Security section. Here, you’ll find the option to activate 2-Step Verification. After a short process, your smartphone will work as a security key.

Authenticating Google Sign-Ins with Your Phone

As long as you have enabled both Bluetooth and Location on your mobile device, any Google service you try to access will prompt you to confirm the sign-in attempt via your phone. This process is exceptionally simple - all you have to do is press Yes on your phone and wait. Once you’ve done so, you can confidently access your Google account, securely. As more developers adopt FIDO2, this enhanced security will only appear more often.

What do you think of this new authentication method? Share your impressions in the comments! While you’re there, let us know if there are any other tips you’d like us to cover!

 

Comments

No comments made yet. Be the first to submit a comment
Already Registered? Login Here
Guest
Wednesday, 02 April 2025
If you'd like to register, please fill in the username, password and name fields.

Blog Archive

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

  • First Name *
  • Last Name *

      Free Consultation

      Sign up today for a
      FREE Network Consultation

      How secure is your IT infrastructure?
      Let us evaluate it for free!

      Sign up Now!

      Free Consultation
       

      Tag Cloud

      Security Tip of the Week Technology Best Practices Business Computing Cloud Privacy Hackers Productivity Hosted Solutions Efficiency Software Business Google Network Security Microsoft Internet Email Malware Workplace Tips Backup Innovation Data User Tips Computer Mobile Devices IT Services Hardware Disaster Recovery Android VoIP communications Business Continuity IT Support Smartphones Communication Miscellaneous Smartphone Mobile Device Network Browser Small Business Collaboration Productivity Cybersecurity Quick Tips Business Management Users Managed IT Services Upgrade Windows Phishing Outsourced IT Ransomware Data Backup Windows 10 Office Server Save Money Cloud Computing Data Recovery Passwords Windows 10 Saving Money Holiday Social Media Tech Term Chrome Gadgets Virtualization Automation Managed Service Managed IT Services Microsoft Office Cybercrime Operating System Computers Artificial Intelligence Facebook BYOD Mobile Device Management Networking IT Support Health Hacking Internet of Things Wi-Fi Information Technology Information Managed Service Provider Remote Spam Alert Office 365 Telephone Systems Covid-19 Bandwidth Recovery Employer-Employee Relationship Router Social Engineering BDR Mobility Application Encryption Applications Data Breach Human Resources Big Data Law Enforcement Remote Monitoring Mobile Computing App History Password Money Paperless Office Data Storage Patch Management VPN Remote Computing Government Mobile Office Private Cloud How To Managed IT Office Tips Training Blockchain Apps Vulnerability Gmail Windows 7 Word Settings Google Drive Infrastructure Voice over Internet Protocol Servers Two-factor Authentication Avoiding Downtime Mouse HaaS Data Security Flexibility Marketing Bring Your Own Device WiFi Data Management IT solutions Work/Life Balance Entertainment Wireless Website Budget Lithium-ion battery USB Conferencing Telephone System Staff Employee/Employer Relationship Software as a Service End of Support Machine Learning RMM Physical Security Scam Education Connectivity Remote Work Safety Firewall HIPAA Sports Redundancy Virtual Reality Keyboard Vendor Management Apple Social User Error Data Protection Meetings Save Time Vendor Managed Services Risk Management Hacker Display Cleaning The Internet of Things Hard Drive SharePoint Battery Shadow IT Legal IT Consultant Business Intelligence Customer Service Computing Update Internet Exlporer Audit Worker Environment Humor IT Management Google Docs Fax Server Identity Theft PDF Botnet IT Plan Digital Signage SaaS Proactive IT Unsupported Software Best Practice Augmented Reality Fraud YouTube Network Congestion Charger eWaste Procurement Black Market Net Neutrality Workplace Strategy Remote Worker Compliance Computer Care OneNote Current Events Cryptocurrency Help Desk Telephony Virus Printing Document Management Samsung Solid State Drive Wireless Technology Wearable Technology Unified Threat Management How to Downtime Comparison Retail Computer Accessories Hard Drives Value Instant Messaging Managed Services Provider Robot Excel CES Data storage Database Spam Blocking Electronic Medical Records Automobile Biometrics Virtual Desktop Business Technology Remote Workers Content Management Computing Infrastructure Printer Hiring/Firing Access Control Processor Going Green Bluetooth DDoS Virtual Assistant Authentication Assessment Peripheral Cables Techology Laptop Customers Windows Server 2008 Distributed Denial of Service Customer Relationship Management Digital Security Cameras Using Data Audiobook 5G Telecommuting Tools Project Management Analyitcs Copiers Nanotechnology Television Programming Quick Tip Cortana Touchpad Ergonomics Digital Signature Smartwatch Development Politics OLED Advertising Warranty Antivirus Public Computer PCI DSS HVAC Virtual Machine Google Apps Employee Regulations Notifications 2FA Transportation Windows 8 Fiber Optics Analysis Messaging Devices Cabling Computer Fan IT service Administrator Rootkit Policy Enterprise Content Management Hypervisor Relocation Consultant Workers Dark mode MSP Benefits Tablet Trend Micro Accountants SMS Thought Leadership Default App Credit Cards FENG Domains Microchip Analytics IBM Procedure Password Management Saving Time Password Manager Video Games Google Search Multi-Factor Security Flash IaaS Best Available Maintenance dark theme Smart Technology Shopping Worker Commute Bloatware AI Twitter Experience IT Infrastructure WIndows 7 Search Engine Software Tips Supercomputer FinTech NIST Business Mangement Scalability Bing Trending Sync Emails Tablets Social Network Smart Tech Business Owner Entrepreneur Addiction Investment Amazon NarrowBand Employees Employee/Employer Relationships Recycling Search ISP iPhone Netflix Shortcut Windows 365 Wiring Two Factor Authentication Practices Cost Management Video Conferencing Cache Windows Media Player ROI Amazon Web Services User Root Cause Analysis PowerPoint HBO Knowledge Social Networking Sales Safe Mode Music Bitcoin Criminal Shortcuts Cryptomining Files Skype Point of Sale GDPR Personal Hosted Computing Supply Chain Management Wireless Internet Online Shopping Chromecast Managing Stress Data loss Outlook Running Cable Leadership Monitoring File Sharing Troubleshooting Batteries Specifications Colocation Start Menu Uninterrupted Power Supply Windows 8.1 Camera Cameras Memory Digitize Inventory Loyalty Wire Windows Server 2008 R2 Evernote Screen Mirroring Frequently Asked Questions Customer relationships Books Travel Monitor Manufacturing Millennials Mobile Windows 10s Email Best Practices Printers IT Assessment Smart Office Wireless Charging Cast Tip of the week Streaming Media webinar Computer Tips Emergency Science Managed IT Service Security Cameras Reputation Content Biometric Security Workforce Professional Services Tech Support Public Cloud Virtual CIO Virtual Private Network Printer Server Employer Employee Relationship OneDrive

      Top Blog

      The reasoning for this is simple: you want to make sure that operations are proceeding as intended, even if you’re not there. If you completely check out from the workplace every time you leave, you could return from your vacation to a complete and total disaster that may have been prevented with y...
      QR-Code