Yubico launches dual USB-C and NFC security key

AppleInsider

Secure your iPad, MacBook, or enterprise devices using Yubico's newest security key -- the YubiKey 5C NFC.

The YubiKey 5C NFC

Yubico, a manufacturer of hardware authentication security keys, announced the YubiKey 5C NFC. It's the first multi-protocol security key that features smart card support.

The YubiKey 5C NFC is compatible with USB-C computers and mobile phones and works across iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux devices. It adds a physical layer of security to devices. It can prevent phishing and man-in-the-middle attacks.

It also allows for a faster log-in experience, as users will not need to struggle to type in one-time passcodes. A user can simply touch or tap a physical security card to the YubiKey 5C NFC to log in via near-field communications (NFC), saving time and effort.

It supports multiple authentication protocols, including FIDO2 and WebAuthn, FIDO U2F, PIV (smart card), OATH-HOTP and OATH-TOTP, OpenPGP, YubiOTP, and challenge-response. It can be used to secure emails, identity access management solutions, VPN providers, password managers, social media platforms, collaboration tools, and more.

The YubiKey 5C NFC is now available to purchase from Yubico and costs $55.

davgreg

I never have used one of these and have never seen a video demonstrating how they work and what they actually do. I have one sitting in a drawer sent to me by Ars for a subscription premium.
So what is the advantage for the penalty of having this dongle hanging off your device?

MplsP

davgreg said:

I never have used one of these and have never seen a video demonstrating how they work and what they actually do. I have one sitting in a drawer sent to me by Ars for a subscription premium.
So what is the advantage for the penalty of having this dongle hanging off your device?

They a security key that essentially provide instant, more secure 2 factor authentication. I use one for work - when I log in there’s one field and I enter the first part password then touch the key. It acts like a keyboard entering the rest for me. The yubikey changes its part of the password so it’s different each time. 

If someone steals the key, it’s useless without my part of the password and vise versa.