If you’ve configured two-step verification for your Gmail account (AND YOU SHOULD), how about looking into plugging in a verified USB stick for extra security?  Mainly because you can carry it wherever you go and, unlike your phone, it doesn’t lose battery or signal. Plus, Google says that it offers better protection against phishing attacks, and now YOU can set one up!

First, you’ll need a USB stick that’s compatible with the FIDO Universal 2nd Factor (U2F) standard. There’s a variety of different models available (like the Yubico Security Key) and they’re not expensive. Second, make sure you’re running the latest version of the Chrome browser (40+) on your Chrome OS, Windows, Mac OS, or Linux computer. Third, go to the two-step verification page from your Google account portal (under Signing in to Google), and make sure that the two-step process switched on. Now, the Security Key shows as one of the alternative options at the top of the settings page. Fourth, select Add Security Key to start the setup process, click the Register button, insert your USB key into an empty USB port, press the button on the USB key itself, then click Done and you’re all set. Now when you use a computer and whenever Google’s two-step verification process kicks in (typically when you’re signing in from a new computer), just insert the USK key and you’re ALL DONE!