Yubico Releases YubiKey Bio Security Key with Fingerprint Reader
Yubico has released the YubiKey Bio series, the brand’s first physical security key with biometric authentication via fingerprint reader. The key comes in USB-A and USB-C versions and supports FIDO and FIDO2 protocol. The keys cost 80 or 85 euros.
The YubiKey Bio has a fingerprint reader, which means that it is no longer necessary to set a password for the key. The key makes completely passwordless login possible, the brand writes. The YubiKey Bio was first shown in 2019 and officially announced in 2020. Now the key is for sale. There is a version for USB-C and USB-A. The difference between the two is the price. The USB-A version costs 80 euros, the USB-C version 85 euros.
Mainly used for multi-factor authentication, the key works with all desktop-based FIDO-supported services and applications and the FIDO2 and WebAuthn protocol. The key works with Microsoft, Google, most password managers, most social media services, and a whole list of other services, among others. The key certainly works with Google Chrome and any FIDO-compliant application on Windows, Mac OS, Linux and with applications that support FIDO and FIDO2 via Chrome, Firefox or Microsoft Edge. The YubiKey Bio does not work with Lastpass.
To make the fingerprint reader as secure as possible, the keys are provided with three chips, with the biometric data stored on a separate, secure element to better protect against physical attacks. Fingerprints can be added and removed using the Yubico Authenticator for Desktop app. Fingerprint templates are derived from fingerprints stored on the key and fingerprints never leave the physical key and are not stored elsewhere.
The key has no battery, is waterproof and crush resistant. The key supports WebAuthn, FIDO2 CTAP1, FIDO2 CTAP2, and U2F. Unlike the 5-Series, the key does not support NFC, so users who primarily use the key with their phone should consider buying the USB-C version. Yubico writes that because of this limitation, the Bio Series is not a key for everyone. Yubico has put a quiz online to determine which key works best for each user.