Not only do many people use weak or similar passwords for every account, but advanced algorithms and powerful computers can figure out many “strong” passwords with enough time and effort.įurthermore, if you reuse the passwords and usernames on multiple sites, you multiply the risk that those login credentials will be exposed in a data breach. Passwords are easier to figure out than you'd think. Though a USB security key may sound redundant on paper, it brings major benefits. How USB security keys fit into two-factor authentication
A couple have Lightning plugs to connect to iPhones and older iPads.
Though they're most typically plugged into a computer's USB-A or USB-C port, some security keys feature wireless Bluetooth or NFC capabilities to connect to mobile devices too. Thanks to a chip inside that contains codes and protocols, each one of these physical keys can connect to online servers to verify that you are the person accessing whatever device you've plugged it into. Some are so small that they barely stick out when plugged into a laptop. On their own, FIDO U2F tokens can be used with services that already support them such as Google Accounts, Dropbox and GitHub.Security keys look like small USB drives and can be plugged into a wide collection of devices. Developed by the FIDO Alliance, an industry consortium whose members include Google, Microsoft, Samsung, PayPal, MasterCard, Visa and RSA Security, FIDO U2F is gaining rapid support across the industry. The FIDO U2F protocol enables these devices to be used as a second factor at login. The application then verifies the returned signature using the previously shared public key.
The device will only perform the signature after the user has ‘unlocked’ the device (e.g., by touching the button on the device). At subsequent logins the website or application issues a challenge which the device signs internally using the private key. At the point of registration with the website, or on first use of the application, the user presents the FIDO U2F device which then generates a new keypair – the public key is shared with the application, the private key is kept hidden by the device. How Do They Work?įIDO U2F security keys utilize public-key cryptography to assert the identity of the user. The user simply needs to touch the button on the USB Key or tap an NFC/BLE enabled token using their smartphone or tablet. Traditional logins requiring a password or PIN can be reinforced by requiring the presence of the FIDO U2F authentication dongle. They are the solution to the problem with weak passwords, Cyber hacking, phishing scams and keyloggers.įIDO U2F allows online services to strengthen login security by adding a high-security second factor to user logins. FIDO U2F security keys are small USB devices that enable secure login to websites and applications.
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