
A lot of what makes buying a security key tricky is first figuring out which device(s) you plan to use it with. While Yubico helped develop the standard, it is not the only company that produces security keys, so it’s wise to shop around. They are based on the FIDO U2F standard, a security protocol that is difficult to intercept it was developed by Google and security company Yubico, and is now administered by the FIDO Alliance. Hardware-based security keys provide a fast, no-fuss way to use two-factor authentication without having to mess around with your phone. But it can also be time-consuming to set up and use. When it comes to protecting your data, SMS-based or app-based two-factor authentication using your smartphone is more secure than depending only on passwords.
#USB SECURITY KEY FOR MAC UPDATE#
Update May 15, 2019, 2:50PM ET: This article has been updated to include information on the vulnerability discovered in certain models of the Titan Key.
