Advanced Protection: Google's New Strongest Security Feature

The Google's new "Advanced Protection" security features are one the company strongest security features for its users.

"We took this unusual step because there is an overlooked minority of our users that are at particularly high risk of targeted online attacks," the company said in a blog post announcing the program on Tuesday. 

"For example, these might be campaign staffers preparing for an upcoming election, journalists who need to protect the confidentiality of their sources, or people in abusive relationships seeking safety."

To enable Google's Advanced Protection feature, you will need two physical security keys that work with FIDO Universal 2nd Factor (U2F)—which offers a hardware-based two-factor authentication that does not require secret codes via SMS or emails.

To log into your Google account from a computer or laptop will require a special USB stick while accessing from a smartphone or tablet will similarly require a Bluetooth-enabled dongle, paired with your phone.

"They [security devices] use public-key cryptography and digital signatures to prove to Google that it's really you," the post reads. "An attacker who does not have your Security Key is automatically blocked, even if they have your password."

Google's Advanced Protection offer three features to keep your account safe:

1. Physical Security Key: Signing into your account requires a U2F security key, preventing other people (even with access to your password) from logging into your account.

2. Limit data access and sharing: Enabling this feature allows only Google apps to get access to your account for now, though other trusted apps will be added over time.

3. Blocking fraudulent account access: If you lose your U2F security key, the account recovery process will involve additional steps, "including additional reviews and requests for more details about why you've lost access to your account" to prevent fraudulent account access.

Protecting you from targeted online attacks

Get the strongest phishing protection with a physical Security Key

Safeguard your emails and files by limiting access from non-Google services

Block fraudulent account access with extra steps to verify it’s you




The strongest defense against phishing

Phishing is one of the most common techniques hackers use to gain access to your account or personal information. For example, phishing emails or fake sign-in pages could trick you into revealing critical information, like your password.

To provide the strongest defense against phishing, Advanced Protection goes beyond traditional 2-Step Verification. You will need to sign into your account with a password and a physical Security Key. Other authentication factors, like codes sent via SMS or the Google Authenticator app, will no longer work.

Google Adds ESET Malware Detection to Chrome

Google has also made a notable change by partnering with anti-virus software firm ESET to expand the scope of malware detection and protection in its browser through the Chrome Cleanup feature.

Chrome Cleanup now has a malware detection engine from ESET, which works in tandem with Chrome's sandbox technology.

You can sign-up for Google's Advanced Protection here.

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