Benefits of Using Hardware Security Keys on iOS

Some benefits of using hardware security keys on iOS include protection against various cyber attacks, a smoother login experience and increased privacy. Since all mobile Apple devices use iOS, protecting them with Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), such as hardware security keys, is important because requiring another way to verify your identity adds another layer of security.

Keep reading to learn more about what hardware security keys are, the five benefits of using them and how they compare to other authentication methods.

What are hardware security keys?

A hardware security key is a physical way of authenticating your identity on systems, apps and accounts. Typically, hardware security keys are used as a type of MFA, which you use after entering your username and password. To use a hardware security key, you have to register it to your device by downloading an app that supports the key. Once you install an app that supports your key, go into the app’s settings and find Two Factor Authentication. From there, you can register your key by either inserting it or tapping it on your device. After registering your security key, you can use it as an MFA method whenever you log in to your account after entering your username and password.

What are the different types of hardware security keys?

There are several types of hardware security keys that you could use on your devices, including USBs, NFCs and Bluetooth security keys.

You can plug a USB-C or lightning security key directly into your Apple devices. If you attempt to log in to an online account with your security key enabled, you will need to insert the USB-C or lightning security key to successfully log in. In general, a USB security key provides a unique code that proves your identity, which will allow you to log in to your computer.

Near Field Communication (NFC) security keys don’t need to be inserted into a device to function. Instead, you can hold the NFC key near your device. As long as your device is compatible with NFC, it will scan the key to authenticate your identity when it is within a couple of inches. It’s important to ensure your device has NFC-reading capabilities; otherwise, this type of security key won’t protect your accounts.

Using a Bluetooth security key works like any other Bluetooth device. By pairing the key with your devices, you can efficiently log in to your accounts because they use Bluetooth to verify your identity through your device. If you have multiple devices and want to log in to all of them seamlessly, a Bluetooth security key may be the best option for you.

Top 5 benefits of using hardware security keys on iOS

Using hardware security keys for your iOS devices offers many benefits, including stronger security, protection against cyber attacks, an easier login experience, improved privacy and more secure accounts.

1. Provides stronger security

Most hardware security keys support FIDO2 and WebAuthn standards, which ensure that authenticating your identity is both secure and user-friendly on iOS devices. Using security keys to verify your identity prevents cybercriminals from tricking you into entering your login credentials on spoofed websites. Even if a cybercriminal knows your username and password, registering a hardware security key ensures they cannot access your account without this form of MFA.

2. Protects against different types of cyber attacks

Hardware security keys can protect you against various cyber attacks, including phishing, Man-in-the-Middle (MITM), account takeover and SIM swapping.

• Phishing: A cybercriminal cannot log in to your accounts without physically having your hardware security key, which makes it a phishing-resistant method of MFA.
• MITM: If someone tries to intercept your login credentials to access your account, a hardware security key protects you against MITM attacks because the key must physically interact with your device.
• Account takeover: Even if a cybercriminal obtains your username and password, a hardware security key ensures they cannot access your account or lock you out because your identity cannot be authenticated.
• SIM swapping: Registering hardware security keys to your Apple devices prevents SIM swapping because a cybercriminal can’t verify your identity with your mobile carrier or access your accounts without the key.

3. Enables a seamless login experience

With a straightforward way to authenticate your identity, hardware security keys reduce the frustration and stress of logging in to your accounts. Simply by inserting or tapping your security key, you can log in without needing to complete several verification steps. Unlike other MFA options, such as One-Time Passwords (OTPs) or Time-Based One-Time Passwords (TOTPs), using a hardware security key is more user-friendly and convenient. Hardware security keys make cross-device authentication easy, except for NFC security keys, which are not currently supported on iPads.

4. Improves your privacy

Because hardware security keys don’t send a code or text to verify your identity, there is less chance your data will be intercepted. In other forms of MFA, you would receive a notification with a code or a text message with a link to click. However, hardware security keys are more private than other types of MFA because what authenticates your identity is stored on the physical key itself. Using hardware security keys as your second form of authentication improves your overall privacy and security because your data is not exposed when using one.

5. Secures your account if your device is lost or stolen

If your device is lost or stolen, having a hardware security key registered to your accounts will secure them because anyone who finds your device will also need your physical key to authenticate your identity. This additional security reduces the risk of someone with unauthorized access logging in to your account or stealing your private information, regardless of who has your device.

How hardware security keys compare to other authentication methods

Not every authentication method is equally effective, so let’s dive into what sets hardware security keys apart from other forms of authentication.

Phishing-resistant

A hardware security key is a phishing-resistant type of MFA because you need to physically use it to access an account. For example, if a cybercriminal successfully cracked your password and tried logging in to your account, they would be unable to log in without your hardware security key to insert or tap on your device. This is where hardware security keys outshine other forms of MFA, such as a 2FA code or PIN, which you could be tricked into sharing through social engineering tactics.

Tangible object

Because you must physically possess a hardware security key to use it, this form of authentication is more secure than others that reside on your device, including passkeys. Hardware security keys are considered the most secure form of authentication against cyber attacks because a cybercriminal cannot trick you into physically giving up your key as easily as they can deceive you into sharing SMS codes.

Compatibility

Hardware security keys become challenging to use on all platforms because not all apps and online accounts support them. In such cases, you will need to use another form of MFA that is supported. To keep track of all your MFA methods, you should use a password manager like Keeper^® that supports hardware security keys and other authentication methods. By protecting your vault with a security key, you protect all your login credentials, MFA methods, important documents and other private information – even if an app or website doesn’t support hardware security keys.

What happens if you lose your security key?

If you lose your hardware security key, most apps and online accounts have alternate ways to authenticate your identity. However, each platform has its own policies for verifying your identity without your hardware security key. For example, an app may allow you to use another authentication method, such as a passkey or a code from an authenticator app, to log in to your account if you have already set it up. It’s best to review an app’s or online account’s policies for hardware security keys before deciding to use them as your preferred MFA method.

Keep your iOS device secure with hardware security keys

It’s important to keep your Apple devices protected from cyber threats, especially with how interconnected your devices are through iOS. You should protect your iOS devices with hardware security keys for stronger security, protection against cyber attacks, a more convenient login experience and improved privacy. Store your hardware security keys as an MFA method by using Keeper Password Manager to have a more convenient and secure way of accessing your authentication methods.