With the introduction of iOS 16.3 and Macos 13.2 Ventura, Apple has added the protection key for Apple ID, providing a stronger way to protect your Apple account and everything related to your Apple account.
The security key is a physical device that works with two-factor authentication. Instead of using the code produced by a secondary Apple device for authentication, when you set up the security keys to your Apple ID on another device, you need to authenticate with a physical key that is actually plugged in your device.
To activate the feature you can use any FIDO Certified Protection Key and Apple recommends UBE 5C NFC and UB to 5 CI, two devices sold by Yobico. Eubico sent me a pair of protection keys so I could try them with Apple’s protection key function.
UB has a USB-C connector and a thunder connector in 5 CI so that it can be plugged on the iPhone, iPad, Mac and other devices that use these connectors, while UB has a USB-C connector in 5 CFC and interface with NFC-capable devices.
Apple removed the port of thunderstorms on the iPhone this year and I did not own a device except NFC, I chose UBI for Futureproofing, but if you plan to have an iphone or an iPad with an extended period for a period of time, you would be able to use 5CI if you were interested in safety.
The security keys can be set up on iphone, ipada or mac. Note that you should choose any protection key product, you must have TwoNot just one. Apple Redundance is the key to dual protection for the purposes and suggests a pair as well as Eubico. The reason for this is because if you lose your physical safety key you are going to lose access to your Apple ID if you don’t have a safe place. You want to store security keys in two separate places.
An iOS device or mac, security keys can be enabled through the Passwords and Protection Department of the Settings App. You need to sign out all the inactive devices before you add a security key, which includes devices that you have not used in the last 90 days. Old devices will not support security keys at all.
I had to cross this process, and I would like to notice that it didn’t work properly (which is not the fault of Yubiki). Apple’s process has signed between unsupported devices or devices that have not been logged in, but then the security key setup will not progress. I have switched to Mac to continue and got a better fortune.
For the setup process I needed to attach the security key to which I used the USB-C and then I had to press the key to identify the Mac. Apple forced me to give me a name and then repeated the process to add the second security key.
Next, I was instructed to review the list of my active devices and to choose whether to sign any of them. There was an option to be signed in to everything, which I have selected. Following the setup process, Apple instructed me to store keys separately and in a safe place and made it clear that I could add additional key in the future.
There is also a single line at the bottom of the setup screen that makes it clear that Apple has no way to help access an account that is lost in both keys, a warning that is likely to be in a bold text. The Apple Protection Sends an email about the key setup process and in both Mac and iOS settings I can see my connected security keys and remove them.
When I try to sign in to my -apple ID on a device in Mac, I was instructed to insert and activate a protection keys. For this process the key is to be inserted into a USB-C port and press it to activate it. When the login attempt is made I get notifications across all my devices.
At an iphonee, the login process is the same, but Ubike should be kept near the NFC reader of iphone (the top of the device) and activated for authentication. In general, it is a common process of every Mac, iphone and ipada that I have tested with it. All my devices are iOS 16.3 or later on or Macos Venchura 13.2 or later and they all support USB-C or NFC. The devices that are not updated or do not support USB-C/NFC may not be paused and may require adapters.
My main anxiety is the activation protection keys I am going to lose one. Ubikes and other safety keys are small, offensive and easy to lose since they are designed to hide and hide. There is a hole at the top for a kiring of ubikey, so I’m going to add a kiring to one that will be in a safe place in my office and the second will be safe somewhere.
According to Apple, bi-factor authentication with physical protection key is more secure than authentication with digital code, but it is a bit risky. If my ubikers are lost I can’t track I can track all my secondary Apple devices if I have to lose one and it is needed for a code. It was said that the authentication process is extremely simple and it is faster than getting the code from another Apple device.
Ubikes does not need to be charged and Yubi is still sustainable on the basis of users from users, this is good because I am also concerned about a break. In the end, I think I can add a third key to my account for another level of protection, since there are very few opportunities I can lose or break three at once. There is an IP 68 water resistance rating so that it can hold up to the liquid immersion and its storage temperature is -4 ° F to 185 ° F.
You don’t need any app to use UB for some services (such as an Apple ID or Twitter) but the Eubico authenticator needs to be installed for others. The Eubico authenticator is like a Google authenticer or Athi, creating a code that uses UB.
I was not able to set up Yubiki with Instagram because the Instagram authentication process Plus Yobico app would not just work. The app does not recognize the key, so be aware that some problems may be involved in solving. There are restrictions with Yubiki in the case of supported accounts. It can save 25 FIDO 2 credentials for password-free logins, two OTP credentials, 32 Oth credentials for one-time passwords (when connected to Yobico authentication) and an unlimited number of U2 Fof certificates. If you have more than 32 accounts where you need one -time passwords you may not be the best solution to UB because it only works with 32 login.
In addition to an UAPPle ID, Yubiki works with two-factor authentication with other websites and services. Google, Microsoft, 1 Password, Lastpass, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Bitcoin Wallet, Government Account and another bunch are all supported.
Bottom line
If you are aiming to better protect your Apple ID by using physical authentication using the protection key features, UB is a series of series. It provides better protection than you will get through digital codes, it is expensive and if you want a multi-informed physical authenticist, there are some limitations to be aware.
How to buy
In this review I used UBC 5C NFC priced at $ 55, and it can be purchased from the Eubico website. UBK is priced at $ 75 with electricity connector and USB-C connector.
