If you have a Google Titan key, this small flaw could ruin your data security efforts

Google’s Titan key, a step towards enhanced security, but recently shaken by a data management flaw. A future without a password, finally called into question.

Those who are most reluctant to use physical media such as USB keys think that it is a tool from another century, and prefer a good password manager. However, when it comes to security, Google’s Titan key has established itself as a tool of choice for those who take the protection of their data seriously. This physical key, integrating the Titan M cryptoprocessor, offers the possibility of storing up to 250 access keys.

But despite its performance and the simplicity of its use, Titan is, unfortunately, not infallible. After being hacked in 2021, a recent report reveals a major flaw in data management. A major flaw for Google which wants to put an end to the era of passwords and double authentication thanks to this titanic key.

Google’s Titan security key, the royal road to the end of the password

Google’s Titan Key was designed to simplify security. As a physical security token, it eliminates the need to remember a multitude of passwords, while providing an additional layer of security through two-factor authentication. Users can therefore access their accounts securely, with the certainty that their data is protected by robust hardware. Titan Key is particularly popular among technology professionals and businesses looking to protect their systems from intrusions and data leaks.

After launching it in 2018 with a Bluetooth mode, Google updated the Titan security key system in 2021, abandoning this technology in favor of NFC. Now, Titan actually comes in the form of a pack with two separate keys to run on all machines on the market. The first is equipped with a USB-A connector, while the second has a USB-C connector.

Titan Security Keys work as an additional barrier to your password, providing protection against phishing attacks and blocking unauthorized access to your online accounts, including Gmail, which is currently undergoing a hacking campaign that bypasses double authentication. Titan security is your shield.

Incorporating firmware developed by Google, Titan security keys control the authenticity of the keys. They are based on open FIDO® standards, making them compatible with a wide selection of applications and services. Additionally, they are designed to work with the Advanced Protection program, the most robust security solution offered by Google.

However, this simplicity hides an underlying complexity. A recent report published on the Heise Online site (Editor’s note: site in German with paid access) reveals a gap which could well compromise Google’s hopes of putting an end to passwords: the absence of an administrative management component of passwords stored on the key. Indeed, once a password is saved, it becomes impossible to delete it individually without resetting the entire key to factory settings.

This limitation poses a risk to data management and user security, who could end up with obsolete or compromised passwords irreparably linked to their key.

Google has long advocated for a passwordless future, and the Titan Key is spearheading this. By providing a physical, tangible way to secure access to accounts, Google hopes to reduce reliance on traditional passwords, which are often vulnerable to phishing attacks and other forms of cybercrime. Recent versions of the Titan Drive, equipped with USB-A and USB-C connections, demonstrate Google’s commitment to making multi-factor security more accessible and convenient for all users.

But if users can’t effectively manage their stored passwords, confidence in the Titan Key and in the very concept of a passwordless future could be undermined. At the time of writing, Google has not published an update or communicated about this flaw.

Sources: Android Police, Google Store, Heise Online