To offer stronger multi-factor or two-factor authentications, Yubico has made many hardware security keys having a lot of specifications in use, applications, protocols and interfacing. Yubico Bio offers stronger hardware authentication to users to protect their online accounts. YubiKey Bio works with FIDO-Compliant multiple applications and devices like windows, MacOS, Linux and androids. It has strong hardware authentication specifications which validate user’s login with biometric fingerprint.
The security key has built-in USB port C which users can use to slip it into the FIDO-Compliant HID devices for faster authentication using biometric touch or fingerprint. No need to use batteries or network. Just slip into the port of the device and tap on the gold button to validate authentication. However, it has no Near Field Communication(NFC) specifications for wireless usage.
Page Contents
Hardware Designing of YubiKey Bio by Yubico
Eager to know the hardware designing specifications of the Bio YubiKey? Of course, it is good to know before using it for best user experience and decision making. Once you look at the back and front of the key, you can understand how it is made.
The key has fiberglass reinforced body to resist from day to day wear and tear. The case is textured in black and slim plastic fiber which is crush resistant, water proof and crush resistant. Lite weight and amounts to be about 5 gram. The golden round ring is made to fit it onto a keyring so as to hold and carry it if needed.This is at the upper end of the device. In the middle of the key, there is a button to provide touching interface. When you slip the key into the USB-A port of a device, you can n touch the button to authenticate hardware-based specifications.
Protocols Supported by the YubiKey Bio
The security key supports WebAuthn, FIDO2 CTAP1, FIDO2 CTAP2 and the Universal 2nd Factor(U2F). Owing to the use of WebAuth, you don’t need to use password or text messaging for authentication rather it uses Asymmetric cryptography which keeps your data secure during data transmission. Your account remains safe from phishing attacks. FIDO2 CTAP1 specifications enable a browser to connect to a U2F compliant device using a second factor authenticating experience. FIDO2 CTAP2 is more advanced in security specifications, which enables communication between FIDO2-enabled browsers and operating systems and external authenticators like FIDO security key, mobile device etc, to enable a 2FA or MFA authenticating experience.
Features of YubiKey Bio
- Comes with USB-A port
- Supports windows, macOS, Linux and androids.
- Compatible with Google Chrome, ChromeOS and Edge.
- Supports FIDO2/WebAuthn, FIDO U2F.
- Comes with 2FA, MFA and hardware-based single factor authentication.
- Fiberglass reinforced body.
- It is water-resistant, injection molded , crush-resistant and IP68 rated.
- No NFC specifications.
- No moving parts, no batteries and no network or connectivity needed to authenticate.
- FIDO 2 Certified, FIDO Universal 2nd Factor (U2F) Certified.
- It supports cryptographic specification ECC p256.
- Supports the major applications, cloud storage and password managers.
Also read:
YubiKey 5C Security Key with USB-C.
How Does YubiKey Bio Work?
Want to know how YubiKey Bio works? It works based on certain authentication protocols such as FIDO2, FIDO U2F and WebAuthn. To let the key work, you need to register it with your online account. Once it is registered, you have to create a PIN and tap the sensor when it gets prompted. It works with Google, Gmail, AWS and other numerous applications.
So, to use and activate the YubiKey Bio, go through the following points:
- Plug it in your device using the USB-A port.
- When the key gets connected, create a PIN and enter your fingerprint.
- Before fingerprint interfacing, it gives you a prompt notification on your device.
- Once you tap the button, it is ready to go. Now, your account turns on YubiKey Bio authentication.
To protect your social account like Twitter, Facebook and others, you can use this Bio YubiKey. However, keep in mind that it does not have NFC specifications. Want to use the NFC-enabled YubiKey security key? You can buy the YubiKey C NFC which has Near Field Communication(NFC) specifications. The NFC-enabled keys are more user-friendly and compatible with more devices.
Want to Buy Bio YubiKey?
Want to secure your accounts with hardware security key? Indeed! There are many ways for protecting your account but using keys with hardware authentication is the most reliable and the strongest means of validation. Yubico does that with the hardware-based security keys for multiple devices and applications. YubiKey Bio is such a key that costs $80, which you can choose and buy from the authorized dealers and their store, too.