Yubico simplifies the use of a physical security key on older iPhones for super secure connections



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A hardware security key adds a nearly foolproof second layer of security for your accounts and password-protected information, but using them with mobile devices such as iPhones has been less than simple. Today, Yubico hopes to streamline this process with its new security key YubiKey 5Ci, which is the first to offer both a Lightning connector for iOS devices and a USB-C key.

For two-factor authentication, instead of having to open an authentication application to retrieve a unique code, or wait for the sending of a code, a VIA text message or a phone call (a much less secure method) allows users to simply plug in the key to a computer or mobile device after logging in with their username and passwords and have pressed a button on the key. The YubiKey 5Ci supports the FIDO (Fast IDentity Online) open authentication standard. It should therefore, at least in theory, be compatible with all applications and browsers that support FIDO. However, at this point, iOS applications must be specifically coded to support 5Ci, but these include launching popular password managers such as 1Password, LastPass, Dashlane, single sign-on tools such as Okta , or even the alternative browser Brave iOS. .

Other hardware security keys are already working with mobile devices via an NFC or Bluetooth wireless connection, but an intermediate step is often required, such as the Smart Lock app that allows Google's Titan security key to work with iPhones and iPads. Yubico's YubiKey 5Ci simplifies the process by connecting directly to the Lightning or USB-C port of an iOS device, but it may not be the best solution for all iOS users. It should also be recalled that a vulnerability was discovered in May in the Bluetooth security of the security key Titan Google. Security issues related to Bluetooth had been predicted by Yubico before the release of Titan Key.

If you have an iPhone 7 or a newer model, Yubico actually suggests using the company's YubiKey 5 NFC instead. Priced at $ 45, it is actually cheaper than the new $ 5 YiCi $ 5, which makes buying a second as a much more affordable backup. But for iPhone users older than the 6S who do not own NFC technology, or those who also own an Android phone with USB-C, the new 5Ci could be the best solution because over time, more and more applications will add support. .

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