What is a U2F device?
What is a U2F device?
Universal 2nd Factor (U2F) is a type of physical authentication device that uses encryption and private keys to protect and unlock supported accounts.
How does U2F key work?
The U2F protocol allows online services to augment the security of their existing password infrastructure by adding a strong second factor to user login. The user logs in with a username and password as before. The service can also prompt the user to present a second factor device at any time it chooses.
How secure is U2F?
U2F keys give the IT teams a deeper level of security. The use of public key encryption significantly mitigates risks such as identity theft, unauthorized access, man-in-the-middle, and malicious software. You don’t need any special technical skills to use a U2F device.
Is YubiKey a U2F?
FIDO U2F is another protocol supported by the YubiKey. The U2F protocol provides strong authentication without requiring a complex backend or framework to support it. Turning traditional authentication on its head, FIDO U2F makes the authentication device, like the YubiKey, the authentication provider.
How do you use U2F?
Using a U2F security key is simple. You just plug it into your computer when prompted and press the button on the top if your key has one. There are no drivers to install, and unlike TOTP you don’t have to manually type in any codes. Behind the scenes, strong cryptography is keeping you safe.
What websites support U2F?
U2F security keys can be used as an additional method of two-step verification on online services that support the U2F protocol, including Google, Azure, Dropbox, GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, Nextcloud, Facebook, and others. Chrome, Firefox, and Opera were, as of 2015, the only browsers supporting U2F natively.
Who uses U2F?
Consumer-facing sites that support U2F include Twitter, Facebook, and Dropbox, as well as Google and its various properties (including, but not limited to, Gmail). The websites and web services of both Apple and Microsoft are yet to support U2F.
How does U2F protect against phishing?
U2F authentication is considered more secure than OTP because the USB key only works on sites with which the user has registered. Additionally, it protects against session hijacking, man-in-the-middle and malware attacks.
Can I use a USB as a security key?
To set up a USB security key, you need a USB drive and a USB security key app. You install the app on your computer, set it up, and then use it to create your USB security key. Whenever your computer is on, the app constantly scans your USB ports for a device that contains a specific encrypted file.
Can security key be hacked?
But researchers have now shown that it is possible to clone keys — given the key, a few hours, and thousands of dollars. Researchers from security firm NinjaLab have managed to make a clone of a Google Titan 2FA security key. The process makes use of a side-channel vulnerability in the NXP A700X chip.