The tech giant has the key to protecting high-risk users from impending scams in yet another move to safeguard the digital cyberspace.

Google is giving free physical USB security keys to 10,000 users who are at high risk of experiencing cyber threats.

The “Titan” USB key will provide two-factor authentication which will supply users with an additional layer of security.

Politicians and human rights activists are among the large number of users receiving the USB, which are normally available to buy for $41.

Google’s partner against crime

A number of organisations have partnerd with Google to help fund the distribution of the keys, Partnership Manager Grace Hoyt and Project Manager Nafis Zebarjadi said in a statement.

“We’re excited to be working with these leading organisations to protect high risk user groups and learn more about the needs of at-risk users and organisations.”

“These collaborations help us make the world’s most advanced security even stronger, more inclusive and easier to use – helping everyone stay safer with Google.” 

It comes as the tech giant encourages its users to join its “advanced protection program“.

Under the program, users with high visibility and sensitive information are safeguarded under new protections added to defend against impending cyber threats.

Preventing unauthorised account access, extra protection from harmful downloads and securing personal information are among the measures Google is taking to protect users.

Fighting back against phishing

In late September, the tech giant warned thousands of Gmail users that they had been targeted in a scam coordinated by Russia-linked hacking group APT28,

In an email campaign designed to look legitimate to trick people into revealing their passwords, the Russian fraudsters tried to phish high-profile users.

Shane Huntley, director of Google’s Threat Analysis Group says around 14,000 accounts “across a wide variety of industries” were targeted,

“As we always do, we sent those people who were targeted by government-backed attackers warnings,” Huntly said before confirming the emails were successfully blocked.

Google vows to continue to support their users in the fight against the rise in cyber crime, with these measures the first of many more to come.

Written by Rebecca Borg