The company says the addition, which compliments two-factor rather than replaces it, means users won’t have to worry about phone batteries dying when they need a security code.
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“After typing in your password, just insert your key into a USB port when you’re prompted, instead of typing in a six-digit code”, Dropbox’s Patrick Heim and Jay Patel wrote in a blog post today.
The key in question must support the FIDO U2F, which we have written about before, and which Dropbox has already recommended.
ONE-TIME EDWARD SNOWDEN PRIVACY SYSTEM OF CHOICE Dropbox is looking to tighten up security through the adoption of Universal Second Factor (U2F) security keys as a two-step verification option. In order to log in with this method, users must place their key into the USB when logging in to a site.
“Making sure only you can access your account is an important part of keeping Dropbox safe”.
“Even if you’re using two-step verification with your phone, some sophisticated attackers can still use fake Dropbox websites to lure you into entering your password and verification code”.
Two-step login has become the norm in recent years as online privacy and security become growing concerns, but companies are now beginning to eschew the standard mobile verification in favour of U2F keys.
This key will then work with any U2F-enabled services, including Google. What this means is that users will be able to use USB keys for two-factor login on Dropbox.
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Dropbox’s U2F is only supported in the Chrome browser now, and signing in from a device of platform version of U2F isn’t supported either.
