Is password authentication outdated?-The fingerprint authentication USB key "YUBIKEY BIO" is released

　Yubico, a hardware security key manufacturer, released two models on October 5, USB, a USB key, a USB key that incorporates fingerprint authentication and enhances the security of the device at the time of logging in.

「YubiKey Bio」は「YubiKey Bio - FIDO Edition」と「YubiKey C Bio - FIDO Edition」の2モデルから選択可能だ。提供：Stephen Shankland/CNET

　Hardware security keys such as yubico are often used in combination with passwords to enhance the conventional login process.This makes it impossible to access the account without a security key, even for a hacker with a password.Hackers can download a large number of passwords at once, but not for hardware security keys.

　Yubikey Bio adds another protection layer to the authentication process by adding a second identification element called fingerprint to the personal authentication process.This may allow you to completely replace your password authentication on sites that can register hardware keys, such as Microsoft websites.The key itself saves fingerprint data and notifies the site that it has succeeded in authentication.

　The released "Yubikey C Bio -FIDO EDITION" costs $ 85 (about 9500 yen), and "Yubikey Bio -FIDO EDITION" is $ 80 (about 9000 yen), all of which are the mainstream methods of login technology and password authentication.It is part of the movement to eliminate.The password is convenient and familiar, but faces many security drawbacks.You may be stolen, forgotten, reused, and easily guessed.

　Both models and PIN code are compatible, which may be useful on sites that do not support biological authentication methods.However, the short -range wireless communication standard (NFC) is not supported.This is a method that other security keys use when communicating with a smartphone.

　Yubikey Bio is not the first biological authentication security key.Google's hardware security key, "Titan", has been selling a fingerprint authentication "Biopass" for many years.

YubiKey Bioをウェブサイトで使えるように設定するには、スマホやPCの場合と同様に指紋を登録する必要がある。提供：Screenshot by Stephen Shankland/CNET

　Hardware keys have great security benefits.The hardware key is registered only on a specific website and protects it from a phishing attack that uses fake sites.You can also log in to many sites with a single hardware security key.

This article edited by Asahi Interactive for an article from overseas RED VENTURES for Japan.