In today’s world, where much of our financial, health, and other sensitive information is online, it is imperative to protect your accounts. Multi-factor authentication is one of the best ways of shielding your accounts from hackers and other cybercriminals. Although almost any multi-factor authentication is better than none, security keys are among the best methods of securing your account (here’s why). Here are my recommendations for the best security keys for two-factor authentication.
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Best security key for most people
- SECURITY KEY: Protect your online accounts against unauthorized access by using 2 factor authentication with the Yubico YubiKey 5 NFC security key. It’s the world’s most protective USB and NFC security key that works with more online services/apps than any other.
- FIDO: The YubiKey 5C NFC is FIDO certified and works with Google Chrome and any FIDO-compliant application on Windows, Mac OS or Linux. Secure your login and protect your Gmail, Facebook, Dropbox, Outlook, LastPass, 1Password, accounts and more.
Yubico has a wide range of keys and the YubiKey 5C NFC is the best multi-factor security key for most people. It supports a wide range of security protocols (e.g., FIDO2, U2F, OATH-HOTP, OATH-TOTP, OpenPGP, and more) and has NFC, allowing it to work with Android and iOS apps.
You can always have it with you for verification because it just slips onto your keychain. You won’t lose it (unless you lose your keys!). This is one of the keys I personally own and have used successfully for a couple of years.
If you are looking for a USB-A version of this key, you can buy an adapter or purchase the USB-A version of this security key.
Best budget security key
![FIDO U2F Security Key, Thetis [Aluminum Folding Design] Universal Two Factor Authentication USB (Type A) for Extra Protection in Windows/Linux/Mac OS, Gmail, Facebook, Dropbox, SalesForce, GitHub](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/414cv-4SxrL.jpg)
- Protect Online Account – Offer a strong factor authentication to your online account. Never lose your accounts through password theft, phishing, hacking or keylogging scams.
- Universal Compatibility – The Thetis U2F key can be used on any websites which support U2F protocol with the latest Chrome installed on your Windows, Mac OS or Linux. (Important Note: Not compatible with any email clients including Apple Mail, Mozilla Thunderbird or Microsoft Outlook)
The Thetis FIDO U2F key is a solid budget choice for a hardware security key. It doesn’t support as many standards as other keys in this list, and there’s no NFC support. However, it does support the most useful standards, allowing it to work with Chrome or Opera on Windows, Linux, and MacOS.
It behaves and looks much like a USB flash drive; it folds into a compact package that makes it easy to transport and protects the USB connector.
Best stealth security key
- Keep your online accounts safe from hackers with the YubiKey. Trustworthy and easy-to-use, it’s your key to a safer digital world.
- CONVENIENT: Connect to your your device via USB-C – The “nano” form-factor is designed to stay in your device, ensuring secure access to your accounts at all times.
If you are interested in keeping your key always plugged in, but don’t want it to be very visible or bulky, the Yubikey 5C Nano is for you! It has all the features of our top pick, just put in a smaller package (but with a higher price tag). This is another item that I personally own and use.
Here is a USB-A version of the security key in case that better fits your needs.
Additional security keys to consider
Below are the most popular security keys on Amazon.
![FIDO2 Security Key [Folding Design] Thetis Universal Two Factor Authentication USB (Type A) for Multi-Layered Protection (HOTP) in Windows/Linux/Mac OS,Gmail,Facebook,Dropbox,SalesForce,GitHub](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31PGPUccvkL.jpg)
Final thoughts
There are actually a lot of good hardware security keys out there on the market. I currently have 2 YubiKeys that have been rock solid for me. They have done a great job for a lot of people I’ve recommended them to. Many of these keys are inexpensive enough for you to get two of them (which I highly recommend). So go out and get one today! You really should have one.
Do you have a security key that you recommend? Do you have one of these keys? Let me know in the comments or on Twitter.
