No one wants to hand over their account to a hacker. Today, Facebook is adding a new feature that will help protect users from getting their accounts compromised.
Facebook users can now use a security key to authenticate their identity during the login process. If you use a security key, hackers won’t be able to get into your Facebook account, even if they have your username and password.
Security keys are form of two-factor authentication — an optional extra layer of security that helps you prove your identity when you log in.
During a typical two-factor authentication process, the user enters their username and password, then the site they’re logging in to responds by texting them verification code. The user enters the verification code, proving that he or she is the proper user of the account, and not a hacker logging in with a stolen password.
But this method has its downfalls. A determined attacker can reset the SIM for the user’s phone and intercept the SMS messages, as we saw in the targeted hack of the activist DeRay Mckesson last summer.
Security keys solve this problem by cutting out the need to transmit the verification code to the user. Keys like those manufactured by Yubico fit into a USB port and can generate a one-time code at the tap of a finger — and, unlike SMS, these codes can’t be captured without physical access to the security key itself. In addition to being more secure, security keys make the login process with two-factor authentication feel a bit faster and more seamless because you don’t have to sit around waiting for the text message to be delivered. Conveniently, security keys still work even when text messages don’t, so you don’t lose access to your accounts just because you don’t have cell service.
If you already use a security key to log into your accounts on Google or Dropbox, you don’t need a new one. You can use the same key across all your accounts.
Brad Hill, a security engineer at Facebook, says it was easy for the company to roll out the feature because it was already used in-house by the engineering staff for logging in to internal systems. It was simply a matter of extending the feature to Facebook’s users.
“We don’t consider two-factor a mandatory thing,” Hill explains. “We see account security as our responsibility regardless of technologies you choose to use. For people who want to stay in control, this would be a good choice for someone who wants to stay ahead of even the most advanced attacks.”
Unfortunately, there’s not a great way to integrate security keys with most mobile devices yet. When logging into their Facebook accounts on mobile, most users will still have to go through the regular old two-factor SMS process (Facebook also lets users generate their verification code through the Facebook app). Users with NFC-capable Android devices and the latest versions of Chrome and Google Authenticator can use an NFC-capable key to verify their identity on the Facebook mobile website.
The challenge of using a security key with a mobile device is one Hill expects to see addressed in the future. Although access is currently limited to certain Android users, Hill says he anticipates more APIs on the Android platform that will support security keys — and that other platforms will follow suit.
Ready to activate your security key? Go to Security Settings in your account and click “Add Key.” (Note: This will only work if you’re using the Chrome or Opera browser.)

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Are you headed to Disrupt NY 2017? Do you like saving money? Duh! Of course you do.
Tomorrow, TechCrunch will release a limited supply of Disrupt tickets at the special rate of 2 for the price of 1 , but in order to take advantage of this rare opportunity, you need to sign up today.
You can sign up at our website here .
You will, of course, want to be near your computer or mobile device tomorrow, as tickets will be doled out on a first come, first served basis. As soon as 50 pairs of tickets are sold, the deal will be over and your wallet will be sad.
As a Disrupt attendee, you will get to check out tons of very promising early-stage domestic and international startups in both Startup Alley and the Startup Battlefield competition (you can apply for the Battlefield here ). When not wandering the show floor, you’ll attend interviews and lectures by the most influential minds in the industry (check out some of our past speakers here ).
In your down time, you’ll connect with thousands of assembled entrepreneurs, investors, members of the press, and tech enthusiasts. And, finally, you’ll unwind at the end of a long day by attending the many after-parties that keep the good times going long after the show floor closes up for the day.
Disrupt is the best way to connect with like-minded technology enthusiasts or, if you’re a startup, to get your company out there and make connections that could help take it to the next level.
If you’re a startup looking to exhibit in Startup or Hardware Alley, secure your spot by purchasing a ticket here or throw your hat in the ring for a free table by applying here .

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Rapper and actor Ludacris has teamed up with startup founder Edwin Benton to launch Slang N’ Friendz, a mobile word game for iOS and Android.
“I thought it was a perfect partnership just because hip hop is a genre that is known for creating slang and some of that slang even making it into the dictionary or having double entendres or things of that nature,” Christopher Bridges, better known as Ludacris, told me. “That’s pretty much what brought us together.”
The basic premise in Slang N’ Friendz is similar to Scrabble and Words With Friends, but a difference is that you can play both traditional and slang words in word games. Players can also customize their tile sets and backgrounds, and hear Ludacris react to certain words you play. If you use a slang word like “turnt” or “bae,” you get bonus points.
This isn’t Ludacris’ first venture into the tech industry. In September 2015, Ludacris partnered with delivery app Roadie to help spread the word about the peer-to-peer shipping market. Ludacris is interested in the tech industry because it’s the future, he told me, and it’s a smart business move to stay current.
Ludacris has also invested in tech companies, but said he is not able to disclose those investments at this time. In terms of what he looks for in tech companies — whether he’s thinking of investing or collaborating — Ludacris said he always looks at things that could be useful and big in the future.
“I always look for things that I feel like are going to help the world in general and help people — kind of like how Roadie is people hiring other people and trying to help make the world a better place,” Ludacris said. “With Slang N’ Friendz, in my opinion, I feel like pop culture dictates what is considered as cool in this world and I think bringing people together and not limiting them to what everyone feels the dictionary is in terms of the english language, brings people closer together. It’s a cool element to it.”

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TechCrunch is pleased to offer Microsoft Accelerator’s London Demo Day today at 4:00 p.m. GMT, 8:00 a.m. PST.
The Microsoft Accelerator is a six-month program aimed at helping entrepreneurs scale to global markets. There are seven accelerators located around the world, from Seattle to Beijing, from London to Tel-Aviv. The Microsoft Accelerator in London has a diverse mix of companies across various industries in batch 6.
The entire event, called Gallery of the Future, consists of alumni presentations, talks, and technology demos in addition to the cohort demos. Investors and press will hear pitches from eight companies. Each team will have two minutes to present their business followed by questions from the moderator and then a question from the audience. You can watch it right here:

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