Google Bolsters Security Ahead of U.S. Election with Passkey Support
As the U.S. presidential election approaches, Google is taking proactive steps to enhance the security of its Advanced Protection Program (APP), a program designed for users at high risk of targeted online attacks. APP users, including campaign workers, candidates, journalists, and human rights workers, can now enroll using passkeys, a more secure alternative to passwords.
Passkeys offer several advantages over traditional authentication methods. They are harder for attackers to remotely access accounts as they require physical access to a user’s device. Additionally, passkeys eliminate the need for username and password combinations, which are vulnerable to phishing attacks. Google reports that passkeys have been used over one billion times across more than 400 million Google Accounts since their introduction in 2022.
In conjunction with passkey support, Google is broadening its Cross-Account Protection program, which shares security notifications about suspicious activity with connected third-party apps. This measure aims to prevent cybercriminals from exploiting vulnerabilities in one account to gain access to others. Google currently protects 2.4 billion accounts across 3.4 million apps and sites, and the company is actively forging collaborations across the industry to further enhance user security.
Google’s commitment to protecting high-risk users is particularly important in the context of the upcoming election. By implementing robust security measures, the company aims to ensure that online platforms remain a secure and reliable space for candidates and voters to engage during this critical time.
