Apple has announced that it is introducing a new security feature that allows users to protect their Apple account with hardware keys. This new feature is available on the latest version of the company’s iOS software, and it works in conjunction with the company’s two-factor authentication system. The hardware keys are designed to help protect your account from unauthorized access, and they can be used to log in to your Apple account or sign out of it. The key features of the hardware keys are as follows:
- They are physical keys that can be inserted into a computer’s keyboard port.
- They work with Apple’s two-factor authentication system, which helps protect your account from unauthorized access.
- They can be used to log in to your Apple account or sign out of it.
Alongside other security announcements, such as a new encryption level for iCloud, the company confirmed that you’ll now be able to use third-party hardware keys to secure your iCloud account. It’ll make things simpler and, simultaneously, more secure — instead of having to get a two-factor authentication code to open your account, you can (optionally) grab your hardware key and tap it on the top of your iPhone, and that’ll serve as an authentication method.
Apple says that this feature is designed for users who face “concerted threats” on their online accounts, referring to public figures such as celebrities, journalists, or politicians. After all, you have no way to access your account unless you actually have the hardware key with you — making it essentially phishing-proof.
This feature should be landing on your phone in a few days. Just hope you don’t actually lose your security key. That would be very bad.
Source: Apple
