Apple changes security on iPhone, users need to be careful not to be locked
- Tram Ho
Apple announced last year that it would be adding stronger new security features to the devices and online accounts of its product ecosystem.
Hardware security key allows users to protect their Apple ID and iCloud account with extremely strict hardware security keys
After adding an encrypted iCloud backup, another more powerful and practical security feature has been introduced by “Apples” in the iOS 16.3 macOS Ventura 13.2 update as promised to users. That is the ability to support security keys with Apple ID, which was announced in December 2022.
Hardware security keys are small hardware devices that add an extra layer of protection to online accounts such as Facebook, Email, iCloud, etc. It will replace authentication methods by sending messages. SMS to the phone, manipulation through the application or 3rd website … which is not very secure.
These hardware devices also don’t work on fake login sites, so they can prevent phishing attacks that try to trick you into entering your password into a fake website.
With this feature, instead of just using other Apple devices or SMS as a two-factor authentication method, people can optionally use a hardware security key. You can even make this key a requirement every time you sign in to a new device. At that time, it will act as an extremely strict security layer.
“This feature is designed for everyone, but it is most useful to those who are often exposed to dangerous security threats, such as celebrities, journalists, and members of the government.
The use of a physical key provides a much higher level of security than software solutions (Image: Yubico)
For users who choose to use it, the Security Key will act as an extra layer of protection by requiring the hardware security key as one of the two required authentication factors. This takes the effectiveness of two-factor authentication even further, preventing even advanced attackers from obtaining a user’s second factor in a phishing scam,” Apple said.
The use of a physical key provides a much higher level of security than software solutions. However, users need to be careful to avoid losing the key. According to Cnet, with this hardware key, Apple itself does not have a mechanism to help users restore access if they lose the device.
Source : Genk