How to use a Fido Certified U2F Key for Authentication

U2F is the acronym for Universal 2nd factor, which is an open protocol based on comparable security technology used in smart cards that enhances and streamlines two-factor authentication utilizing specialized Universal Serial Bus or near-field communication devices. In this article, you will learn How to use a Fido Certified U2F Key for Authentication, Please see how to install Let’s Encrypt Wildcard SSL Certificate in cPanel using Certify The Web, and Set Two-Factor Authentication for SSH in Linux.

Meanwhile, FIDO is the acronym for Fast Identity Online, it is the technological protocol for confirming online user identification. The FIDO certified U2F key is also applicable in situations like fingerprint login and two-factor authentication login. Most importantly, this enables you to access your online accounts using biological characteristics or a FIDO security key.

PCs like Windows devices, iPhones and even email accounts like Gmail all accept this verification option since it enhances security, preserves privacy, and makes the verification process simpler.

Furthermore, it is usually in a Hardware security key device that resemble USB flash drives and USB keys in appearance. FIDO keys operate similarly to certain USB keys also. To confirm your action, you must touch the buttons on them.

How FIDO work?

FIDO aims to fix the issues with the current username and password system. Additionally, the security technology uses public key cryptography to ensure that there are no shared secrets between users and online services. With a straightforward authentication sequence, FIDO Authentication will defend your organization’s data from phishing, account takeover, and man-in-the-middle attacks.

In this article, we shall be focusing on how to use a FIDO Certified U2F key series manufactured by Feiten Technologies.

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How U2F Operates

Consider Universal 2nd Factor as a new security entry point that users need to go through to access protected resources.

These users still require passwords to start the process. Meanwhile, to finish the authorization procedures, they also need to have a physical device.

A U2F process appears as follows, in basic terms:

• Password: The user accesses a website and inputs login information that the domain accepts.
• Challenge: The system sends a challenge to a key that the user has put into a USB port after recognizing the correct username and password. Communication is effective with transport-level encryption.
• Response: In response, methods such as the key lighting up addresses the challenge. For the connection to be complete, the user clicks a button.

Requirements for Using FIDO Certified U2F Key

• Fido Certified U2F Key
• Chrome
• Gmail account
• Internet connection

How to Setup your U2F key for use

To use a FIDO-certified U2F key, we will need to set it up by following a series of steps as shown below:

Step1: Place the U2F key nearby

As it is about to be set up, you need to have it near you. This is an important step in using a FIDO-certified U2F key.

Step2: Open your Chrome Browser

The Chrome web browser may be downloaded at https://chrome.com if it is not already on your computer.

Step3: Access your Account

Go to Google.com. And click “My account” at the very top-right corner.

Sign into your Google Account

Step4: Go to https://myaccount.google.com/security

When you are there, confirm if 2-step verification is turned off or on, if it is turned off, turn it on.

Next, follow the steps to get started

You would need to make sure the certified U2F key is plugged in & touched at the point where there is a light

Finally, we need to name the key

Set-up is complete

Summary

In conclusion, U2F is a security entry point that users need to go through to access protected resources, and it can be set up by following a series of steps shown above.

Now, you know how to use a FIDO-certified key. Protect yourself against cyberattacks using this security key.

I hope you found this guide useful on How to use a Fido Certified U2F Key for Authentication. Please feel free to leave a comment below.