What Is YubiKey?

There has been a great concern in cyberspace over the increasing number of cybersecurity attacks on computer systems, networks, and digital devices.

Hackers are becoming more sophisticated and developing newer ways to get into individuals’ as well as companies’ accounts and privacy; in a view to exposing and stealing their data or assets. These threats such as hacks, phishing attacks, etc have led to the loss of millions of dollars and vital data leaks.

“YubiKey,” coined from the popular phrase, “your ubiquitous key” is a game changer in the tech industry that seeks to address the security breaches faced by companies and users squarely. The project provides multi-protocol support for FIDO2/Web Authn, U2F, Smart Card, OpenPGP, OTP, USB-A, USB-C, Lightning, and NFC.

YubiKey supports biometric authentication using fingerprint recognition, increasing the security that companies and users desire through a secure and seamless passwordless login.

What Is YubiKey? Ensuring Strong Security Against CyberSecurity Attacks

The YubiKey is a two-factor authentication hardware device that implements the HMAC-based Time Password Algorithm (HOTP) and the Time-based One-Time Password Algorithm (TOTP) that is capable of generating One-Time-Passwords (OTPs), allowing users to sign, encrypt, and decrypt information without revealing private keys to third parties, thus, preventing cyber security attacks and losses as a result of these attacks.

Launched in 2007 by a Swedish private firm, “Yubico”. YubiKey is the brainchild of Stina Ehrensvärd, (its current CEO) with support from her husband, Jacob Ehrensvärd (Yubikey’s CTO) has offices located in Palo Alto, California; Seattle City, and Stockholm.

YubiKey is a piece of hardware that provides numerous methods for secure authentication and encryption and sustains numerous use cases and interesting applications. The goal is to protect mobile devices, computer systems, networks, and most importantly, every internet user by making a secure login accessible and simple for everyone.

Furthermore, YubiKey is the most widely used two-factor authentication (2FA) hardware device, and partners with leading technology companies in the world, such as Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Firefox, Facebook, Twitter, etc to provide her employees and users security from cybersecurity attacks.

It can be used in most computer systems by using the system’s native drivers because it connects to a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port and identifies itself as a standard USB Human Interface Device (HID) keyboard.

In addition, YubiKey is made up of an integrated touch button that activates the generation of the One Time Password (OTP). The OTP generated is sent through the keyboard input path as emulated keystrokes, making it feasible for any text input field or command prompt to receive the OTPs.

How Does the YubiKey Work?

The Yubikey works similarly to the App authenticator but requires that you plug it into a USB port of your device and press the button on the Yubikey. It generates a one-time password and immediately sends a unique code to the host device similar to typing the password using a keyboard.

The service can then use the password to authenticate your identity and thus approve the request or command. This is more convenient and seamless to use as you don’t have to manually type the codes, and it is more secure because the codes sent are much longer and stronger — a set of 44 characters.

How to Set Up Yubikey?

To use the hardware device, you need to register your YubiKey, and set it up, similar to setting up an App-based 2FA, such as Google Authenticator.

Here is a quick step-by-step guide:

• In your device go to the Security Settings of a supported service and select “Add Security Key”.
• Insert your YubiKey into a USB port on your device — mobile, desktop, or laptop — and click on the button on the YubiKey to verify you are human and not a robot or a hacker. A password will be automatically typed into the required column in your device.
• Tap login or sign in on your device to complete registration.
• Also, you can choose the App you intend to secure by browsing the list of supported Apps and following the simple instructions.

NB: There is no need for multiple registrations after the setup.

What Is Two-factor Authentication?

Two-factor authentication (2FA) is a form of security majorly employed in the protection of digital assets and private accounts. Basically, it adds an extra layer of security to your devices and accounts while carrying out a particular transaction or activity.

The goal of 2FA is to prevent hacking, phishing, and malware attacks and to secure your digital assets and data.

With 2FA, you need two things to sign in; your username/password and a passcode generated either by your mobile device (one-time SMS and Email code) or by an App Authenticator or the use of a Hardware Device — Yubikey.

It is safer to log into your account or device using a hardware device. This is because SMS or Email codes are not encrypted and involve opening an App on your phone and copying the code, thus, exposing you to certain security risks.

But with Yubikey, there is no need to memorize the passcode or copy and paste it into the required destination. Yubikey offers a seamless, secure, and very hard-to-hack with long and confusing passcode that expires in a few minutes. Usually, the login password is sent upon touching the YubiKey for direct confirmation of your identity.

Categories in Two Factor Authentication (2FA)

There are three major ways to enable two-factor authentication:

• SMS and Email Authentication Codes: Most applications use this form of 2FA for identity verification and require you to manually enter the password to log in. This method is the least secure because Short Message Service (SMS) and Email are both unencrypted and easily vulnerable to hacking and malware attacks.

• Use of an App Authenticator: Authenticator apps like Google authenticator or Authy offer higher security when compared to SMS or Email authenticator, though are still vulnerable to cyber security attacks.
  Most apps or services that you wish to log in to will ask you for a code, which you can get by opening a security app on your phone. You must always have your phone nearby, open an app (like Google Authenticator), then type in or preferably copy and paste the code that was provided in the app.

• Use of Hardware Authenticator: Hardware authenticators like Yubikey offer superior protection, are convenient to use, and are more resistant to sophisticated cyber security attacks than the above two. With this device, you don’t need to open an App on your phone or type in a password. Passwords can be typed into the service automatically by clicking the button on the hardware device. This setup technique is the most convenient and offers very high security.

The Importance of Yubikey

• Login Information: The hardware device can securely and independently store login information from any computer.
• Longer Passcode: The device has a longer passcode thus preventing hackers from gaining easy access.
• Strong Security: The hardware device enables strong security against cyber security attacks such as phishing attacks, hacks, etc.
• Convenient to use: It does not require that users copy and paste or manually input the passcode but they can be sent to the App for confirmation of their identity by simply touching the device.
• External Device: Yubikey is an external device, which doesn’t require an internet connection to function, thus, increasing the safety and security of the login passcode.

YubiKey’s Partnerships

Yubikey has partnered with several leading tech giants such as Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Twitter, Facebook, etc, to provide extra protection for her devices and data; protecting them from cyber security attacks — notably from hackers and phishing attacks.

YubiKey on Gate.io

Gate.io is arguably the oldest centralized exchange with a huge crypto reserve both in its hot and cold wallets and has an increasingly growing number of users. The safety and security of user funds and blockchain systems have been of utmost priority over the years. The integration of Yubikey’s security devices seeks to increase security and prevent cybersecurity attacks.

Gate.io currently supports login access from Yubikey (Gate UKey) and under this section, we will be learning how you can effectively secure your account on the exchange using this security device.

So, to use this device — Yubikey — you need to set it up on your device (tablet, laptop, or smartphone). You can follow these steps to register your security device.

1. First, plug in the Yubikey to the USB port of your device and go to device settings to set up the USB security key.
2. Once connected, you will notice a flashing light on the Yubikey, click the button to complete the setup or authentication.

This automatically registers your Yubikey on your device and you can now use it to log in to your Gate account to perform your transactions.

After setting it up, you can try it out by:

• Inserting your Yubikey into the USB port of your device
• Next, click the button on the Yubikey
• A set of alphanumeric characters will be displayed on your screen, which automatically authenticates your identity and completes transactions.

Conclusion

If you desire increased security for your digital devices and the safety of your data, then buying one of YubiKeys’ products is the best option as the device provides a high level of protection from the activities of sophisticated hackers.

This is affirmed by her partnership with leading technology companies and its wide acceptance by thousands of businesses and millions of users in over 160 countries. In a nutshell, YubiKey is a 2FA that is more secure and simple to operate than its competitors.