what you need to know
- Google is giving away Titan Security Keys for free to select Google One subscribers.
- You must live in the US and have a premium subscription to Google One.
- Eligible subscribers can choose between USB-C or USB-A security keys.
In a world riddled with hacks and compromised passwords, it’s more important than ever to keep your account as secure as possible. There are steps you can take, like using a password manager, but the best way to keep your account secure is to enable two-factor authentication where possible. Google is also rolling out a new promotion for select Google One subscribers to help make things easier.
In late 2021, Google launched the latest Titan Security Key, which actually consists of two different versions. There’s a USB-C model that plugs directly into any USB-C port on your device and comes with a fingerprint scanner for authentication. The other relies on USB-A and also includes a fingerprint scanner, giving you more flexibility when using devices that don’t have a USB-C port.
Earlier this week, Google quietly kicked off a promotion where select Google One subscribers can get one of these keys for free. The only catch is that you need to subscribe to one of the Google One Premium tiers, which starts at $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year, starting with 2TB of storage. With this tier, you also get 10% off Google Store purchases, access to Google One VPN for Android or iOS, and ‘extra member benefits’ like this promotion.
If you want to know if you really need Hardware two-factor authentication keys, definitely the other method we recommend. Using something like a Titan Security Key is probably the least convenient 2FA option, but it’s definitely more secure than relying on SMS messages or even Google’s push-based prompts.
Normally, the Titan Security Key with USB-C sells for $35, while the USB-A version sells for $30. Unfortunately, if you’re not eligible for the promotion, you won’t be able to find these anywhere else. However, if you’re looking for another way to keep your Google Account secure, head over to the Google One benefits page and follow the on-screen prompts to claim your security key now.
Titan Security Key
If you’re looking for the best way to keep your Google Account secure, then using one of the Titan Security Keys is the way to go. They provide a hardware solution for two-factor authentication and are more secure than relying on SMS-based messages.
