Google recalls some Titan security keys after finding Bluetooth vulnerability

[ad_1]

Not all Titan Security Keys have the bug, which Google says is due to a misconfiguration in the key’s Bluetooth pairing protocols. Only the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) model of Titan Security Keys contain the bug. If your Titan Security Key has a “T1” or “T2” on the back of it, it means it has the security bug and is eligible for a replacement from Google.

But even if your Titan Security Key has the bug, don’t stop using it while waiting for a replacement. Google warns that even a key with a security bug is safer than using no key at all. Just take extra precautions, such as using your security key away from other people and immediately unpairing it after you sign-in to your Google account. Google has more specific instructions for iOS and Android devices, which you can read here.

The large number of security flaws found in Bluetooth-enabled devices in recent years has raised questions of whether the technology is safe. YubiCo, Google’s competitor in the security key space, criticized Google for launching a Bluetooth-enabled security key. “BLE does not provide the security assurance levels of NFC and USB, and requires batteries and pairing that offer a poor user experience,” wrote the company in a blog post last year.

But the scope of the threat impacting the Titan security keys appears to be pretty small, according to Lauren Weinstein of People for Internet Responsibility. She added that using the Bluetooth security key for two-factor authentication is far safer than turning it off altogether or relying on SMS authentication. “(…the Titan security bug) needs to be fixed of course, and Google is doing that by offering free replacement keys, but for most users it is unlikely to be a problem in practice,” said Weinstein in a direct message to Engadget.

[ad_2]

Source link