Setup a 2FA Key for MAXIMUM Online Security! (Yubikey Tutorial)

Using the Yubikey 5 series, learn exactly how to setup and use your 2FA key not just as a key, but also as an authenticator.

Yubikey is a hardware security token developed by Yubico, a Swedish company, that can be used to authenticate users to a wide range of online services and applications. The token is a small device that can be plugged into a USB port and used in place of a password or other authentication method.

Yubikey uses public-key cryptography to provide secure authentication. When the token is plugged into a computer, it generates a one-time password (OTP) that can be used to log into an online service or application. The OTP is generated using a private key that is stored on the token, and a public key that is associated with the user’s account. The private key is never shared or revealed, which means that even if the OTP is intercepted by an attacker, it cannot be used to gain access to the user’s account.

The Yubikey can also be used to encrypt and decrypt data, and digitally signing messages.

Yubikey can be integrated into different kinds of systems and infrastructure like Windows, Mac, Linux, Chrome OS, and also Mobile devices (Android and iOS).

It has several different models which can support multiple forms of authentication like OTP, PIV, U2F, FIDO2 and smart card.

The Yubikey token is durable and can last for several years with regular use. It is also small and portable, making it easy for users to carry with them.

When it comes to medium and large enterprises, Yubikey can be a good solution to secure authentication across their organization. It can be easily integrated with enterprise-level systems like active directory and group policy, making it easy to manage and deploy on a large scale.

One of the advantages of using Yubikey in medium and large enterprises is that it provides an additional layer of security. Passwords can be easily compromised, but a Yubikey token is much harder to duplicate or counterfeit. This means that even if an attacker gains access to a user’s password, they will not be able to log into the account without the physical token.

Another advantage is that it is simple and easy to use. The end user experience is similar to using a password, which means that it won’t disrupt the workflow.

Yubikey can be integrated with active directory via the use of the Yubico Authentication for Windows logon (YubiAuth). YubiAuth is a client-side component that can be installed on Windows computers and servers. It communicates with the Yubikey token and active directory to provide secure authentication. Group policy can be used to manage the settings and policies for the YubiAuth component.

However, Yubikey also has some disadvantages. One of the main drawbacks is that it is a physical token, which means that it can be lost or stolen. If the token is lost or stolen, the user will no longer be able to log into their account until a new token is issued. Additionally, if a user loses their token, it can be difficult and time-consuming to revoke access and issue a new token.

Another disadvantage is that it can be relatively expensive, especially for large organizations that need to purchase and distribute a large number of tokens.

In conclusion, Yubikey is a powerful and secure hardware token that can be used for authentication. It provides an additional layer of security, making it an ideal solution for medium and large enterprises. It can be integrated with active directory and group policy, which makes it easy to manage and deploy on a large scale. However, it also has some drawbacks, such as being a physical token and relatively expensive.