Are hardware security keys worth it? If so, which to pick?
Are hardware security keys worth it? If so, which to pick?
This isn't strictly a privacy question as a security one, so I'm asking this in the context of individuals, not organizations.
I currently use OTP 2FA everywhere I can, though some services I use support hardware security keys like the Yubikey. Getting a hardware key may be slightly more convenient since I wouldn't need to type anything in but could just press a button, but there's added risk with losing the key (I can easily backup OTP configs).
Do any of you use hardware security keys? If so, do you have a good argument in favor or against specific keys? (e.g. Yubikey, Nitrokey, etc)
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Built in hardware pin entry means your unlock code can't be captured by a compromised machine. Emulates Yubikey if you need that, handles Fido / U2F, stores up to 12 passwords, acts as PGP and SSH key if you install the (open source) agent.
The SSH agent implementation is forked from https://trezor.io/ which is advertised more for crypyo wallet uses.
Edit: For OP's concern about losing the key, it also has the ability to export an encrypted backup that can be restored to a replacement key
This is an interesting piece of kit, though I'm curious who the target market really is? Frankly I would be more comfortable regularly rotating my hardware security key's password than I would be manually keying in my 2nd factors pin every time I need to use FIDO2 or TOTP. This would almost appear to be an excessive amount of security for me as an infosec professional which honestly makes me suspect it's targeted towards a paranoid audience. Not that this wouldn't have it's applications. As a backup security key to be stored in a secure location this is definitely intriguing, but I can't imagine using it on a daily basis.
I think “unnecessarily over-the-top” is a key demographic in every market. Not a large one, but definitely present.
Manually keying in the pin is only needed when plugging in the device. Challenges for TOTP, FIDO2, etc. are a configuration option, and are only 3 digits if enabled (press any button if disabled).
As for "excessive amount of security", security as an absolute measure isn't a great way to think about it. Use case and threat model are more apt.
For use case, I'll point out it's also a PGP and SSH device, where there is no third party server applying the first factor (something you know) and needs to apply both factors on device.
For threat model, I'll give the example of an activist who is arrested. If their e-mail provider is in the country, they can compel the provider to give them access, allowing them to reset passwords on other more secure services hosted outside the country. The police now have the second factor (something you have), but can't use it because it's locked.
If your usecase and threat model don't require the pinpad, Onlykey Duo is worth a look. No pin, USB A or C, and still gives you 6 slots to support any combination of Fido2, TOTP, SSH, PGP, and password storage.
I have one and I would not consider myself paranoid. I go to school part time and have to login with different accounts on rotating computers. It is nice to have a password manager I can plug into the PC instead of typing it off of my phone or having to memorize it.