ChatGPT accounts can now be shielded by a special USB

ChatGPT accounts are getting a serious security upgrade, with users now able to lock access behind a physical USB key in a move that reflects just how valuable AI accounts have become.

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The new feature, part of OpenAI's Advanced Account Security rollout, allows users to authenticate using hardware security keys instead of traditional passwords. These keys, which plug into a device via USB or connect wirelessly, act as a physical layer of protection, ensuring only someone with the device can access the account.

ChatGPT is no longer just a casual tool, for many users it now stores sensitive conversations, work documents, personal data, ideas, hopes, and even in some cases, extremely sensitive personal information. That makes it an increasingly attractive target for hackers, particularly through phishing attacks that exploit weak passwords. Hardware keys are widely considered one of the most secure authentication methods because they rely on encrypted credentials stored directly on the device rather than something that can be stolen or guessed.

There are trade-offs, though. Enabling the feature removes standard recovery methods like email or SMS, meaning users must rely on backup keys or passkeys to regain access. Lose those, and access could be permanently gone. That level of responsibility signals how seriously OpenAI is now treating account protection, especially for high-risk users like developers, researchers, and enterprise clients.

As AI becomes more embedded in daily workflows, moves like this feel inevitable. What used to be a simple login is quickly turning into something closer to enterprise-grade security. A similar process occurred with cryptocurrency as it gained in popularity.