Google tightens Apps security

Google Apps is getting a security boost, with Google adding a new layer into the suite that helps promote a more secure system. Partnering with Arcot Systems, they will be adding an authentication layer to the premier edition of the software, charging customers $1/month for the service.

The authentication layer starts out like something we are all familiar with, putting an username and password to login. Arcot steps in after this, doing encrypted signature checking on the PC itself to verify the machine is allowed access. To help prevent unscrupulous users from pilfering usernames and passwords, logging in from a different machine would surprise the user with a pop quiz they need to pass in order to get authenticated.

That's probably no fun from an user’s point of view, but in a business where you might have more sensitive files stored online, proving you are who you say you are could mean a lot.