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Windows Security Key PROMPT! PLS HELP!

Anonymous
2023-04-21T10:19:33+00:00

Hello,

At 1PM today, I tried logging in my Gmail account and i cannot seem to login using the correct password since I have been using it for almost 3 years without changing the password. After 3 tries, I decided to click "forgot password" thinking I will just change the password and be done with it. To my SURPRISE i was prompted by "windows security: insert security key to the usb port".

I checked my Windows 10:

  1. i don't have a password setup bec its my personal PC and its too heavy to share it with anyone.
  2. I read hear and followed: settings>sign in options -- "require sign-in" reads "NEVER"
  3. All sign-in options ex. windows hello face, finger print, etc is NOT setup
  4. I went to "Security Key" and clicked manage --> Its not asking me to create, instead its asking me to "insert security key to the usb port" ---> same prompt!

I tried searching some more and found this thread here: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/remove-security-key/32f275c9-c43c-4cf8-a55c-803ef1af33b8

I followed it to the teeth...checked it there's "Work or school Email listed", "Family and others" and Email & Accounts...THERE WAS NONE :-( All i have was "add a work or school account", "add account" and "add someone else to this PC" -- > which ultimately means NONE..yet i have this issue :-(

WHAT IS THE MAIN ISSUE I NEED HELP WITH?

A. I know that my gmail account has been hacked and maliciously robbed from me by some lowlife. I received a security message from google re: anomalous activities but weren't offered ways to stopped them. The security message thread that I received from the registered secondary security gmail looks like this:

7:19AM - Security key added for 2-step Verification

7:20AM - A new sign-in on windows

7:20AM - Recovery email was changed for your linked Google account

All notices, no offered "STOP BUTTON" its gut wrenching that I can't do anything about it while reading them. How i wish i was an IT expert :-(

B. I have forwarded recovery notice to gmail for my account and hoping in time everything would be resolved.

C. I went to all my accounts recently from emails to socialmedia and change all password and TRIED to check out "USB Security" as it says it better than 2-step Verification. All of them, when I tried to put "USB Security" its prompting me for "windows security: insert security key to the usb port".

SHOCKED 1 - BECAUSE IF MY WINDOWS IS PROMPTING ME FOR SUCH IT MEANS MY VERY PC HAS CONSUMED SOME SORT OF MALWARE TO AUTOMATICALLY SETUP / GENERATE FOR ME WITHOUT ME KNOWING???

SHOCKED 2 - IF A VIRUS OR MALWARE AUTOMATICALLY SETUP / GENERATE A WINDOWS SECURITY KEY FOR ME WITHOUT ME KNOWING - I did not download any file for 3 months now, i have not clicked any mails I did not recognize. I can imagine for a hacked to physically setup a security key of my pc, my pc should be accessed via like a virtual machine..and I dont even have peer-to-peer software in my PC.

So PRIMARILY I need help about "How do I CREATE a NEW Windows Security Key for me so I can use it to secure my other mails and other handfuls of socialmedia accounts via "Security Key Security Option" because apparently my PC has a windows security key that I do not know anything about and like i said when i click manage it does not give me any option to create new, replace etc...just the aggressive "windows security: insert security key to the usb port" ... How do i CEASE, REPLACE and finally MANAGE my windows security key.

I hope someone would be able to help me. Thank you.

P.S> I just installed a paid anti-virus and it NOT showing any issues. The only issue it resolved was free up 123MB of junk files to free space. No malware, virus, trojan detected.

DJ

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Security and privacy

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  1. Anonymous
    2023-04-21T11:23:37+00:00

    Hello DJ-HAPPYTIME,

    My name is Hanem an independent advisor, and I'm here to help you.

    I'm sorry that you are experiencing this issue, and I will try my best to assist you.

    Here is the link on how to manage, create or remove Security

    key: [https://support.microsoft.com/account-billing/s...]

    Just in case this won't work, you can follow these steps to fix your issue.Method 1: Changing the Security Settings via Internet Options

    1. On your keyboard, press Windows Key+S.
    2. Now, type “Control Panel” (no quotes), then hit Enter on your keyboard.
    3. Select Network and Internet.
    4. On the next page, click Internet Options. Doing so will open the Internet Properties window.
    5. Now, go to the Security tab. You should see different zones, and by default, you will land on the Internet zone.
    6. Go to the ‘Security level for this zone’ section, then move the slider to the lowest level possible.
    7. Click the Local Intranet zone, then click Custom Level.
    8. Below the Reset Custom Settings area, you will see a drop-down list. Select Low, then click Reset.
    9. Click OK, and once you get back to the Internet Properties window, go to the Trusted Sites zone.
    10. Perform Step 6 for this zone.
    11. Move to the Restricted Sites zone, then perform Step 6 once again.
    12. Click OK and Apply to save the changes you’ve made.

    After performing these steps, restart your computer and check if the USB security key is now working.

    Also, remember that once your work is done, you need to go back to the Internet Properties window and click the ‘Reset all zones to default level’ button. Neglecting this final step will leave your PC vulnerable.Method

    2: Reinstalling the DriversAs we’ve mentioned, incompatibility or corruption in the drivers can cause the security keys to malfunction. So, you need to uninstall and update the respective drivers to fix the issue. To do that, follow the steps below:

    1. Go to your taskbar, then right-click the Windows icon.
    2. Select Device Manager from the list.
    3. Now, expand the contents of the Universal Serial Bus Controllers category.
    4. Right-click the USB security key, then select Uninstall from the context menu.

    After removing the driver, you need to reinstall it.

    You can visit the website of the manufacturer of the security key to get the latest driver.

    Feel free to reply on this thread if you still need further assistance, and I'll be more than happy to assist you.

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