Yubikey 5 - a Hardware 2FA - Is it Useful? - Review

Reviewing a Yubikey 5 Nano. I've had this device for over a month and I will show you the pluses and minuses of this device and this form factor in particular. Showing you how this can be used for 2 Factor Authentication as well as other uses for logging in.

Yubikey is a Hardware Authenticator for 2 Factor Authentication as well as having other options for supplying passwords. This replaces the common method of doing verification codes via text or email and intends to simplify 2FA.

In this video I talk about how I put it to use and if this (a) improves the login process and (b) increases my internet safety.

I'm the Internet Privacy Guy. I'm here to educate. You are losing your Internet privacy and Internet security every day if you don't fight for it. Your data is collected with endless permanent data mining. Learn about a TOR router, a VPN , antivirus, spyware, firewalls, IP address, wifi triangulation, data privacy regulation, backups and tech tools, and evading mass surveillance from NSA, CIA, FBI. Learn how to be anonymous on the Internet so you are not profiled. Learn to speak freely with pseudo anonymity. Learn more about the dangers of the inernet and the dangers of social media, dangers of email.

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Amazon Links

Yubikey 5 NFC

Yubikey 5 Nano (USB-A)

Yubikey 5C Nano (USB-C)
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[robbraxmantech]

Within seconds of posting this video, a shill already put a thumbs down. LOL. If you're a Yubikey competitor, why don't you send me a review copy of your product instead? Zucked up!

[yeayea]

0:47 2Fa
3:36 2 specific uses: 2Fa and static password
3:52 Yubikey and 2Fa
6:20 password manager
9:35 Yubikey on mobile phone
10:40 if you lose Yubikey
11:10 Yubikey and burner phone
11:28 Yubikey and computer: how it works
12:22 Yubikey nfc vs nano version
13:56 Yubikey static password vs 2Fa password
15:00 summarize

[chuckbecker]

This whip smart, honest, humble man is on our side and is working to protect us. Valuable gift to us.

[jonesjl]

You may want to update this video. I’m researching these now and listening to your video it is outdated. 1 - you can use them with Windows now, 2 - you can use a USB-C to USB-3 converter to switch between devices. They are about the same size as the nano, 3 - some sites allow you to use multiple keys now. Probably not the best security option, but would allow you to have a backup key stored safely away. Good info though...

[BannorPhil]

@ about 17:20 or so: Factually incorrect. I am using my USB C -based Yubikey in my computer with an adapter to fit into a USB A slot. It works perfectly.

[sbinvllc]

Does the Yuibkey have upgrades to the software? Who controls the software updates? I know this seems to be the best option in the market but I am always trying to see any possible vulnerabilities. No, I wasn't born skeptical, well, maybe I was.

[midlfecrisis]

Hello Rob,
I realize this video is 4yrs. Old, I just to know if you have any new opinions on yubikeys? I.e are they reliable, user-friendly and most importantly which brand you can recommend.
Thanks

[Wasko]

I love this guy. Thanks for all you do Rob. Life changing info on every video.

[huestifer]

You can duplicate the Yubikeys I have done this for years. At 10 minutes the video says you can't have two identical Yubikeys that are the synced on two different computers. You should use the Yubikey configuration tool. You can wipe the Yubikeys and make them all the same.

[DMain-tbye]

The concern about having nfc in the usb seems moot as if you leave the key plugged in all the time - you risk someone just using/tapping the key and entering - this circumvents the advantage of 2FA (something you have rather than just know/password). It should always be kept with you.

[briianhebert]

Thanks for the video! I have tested a USB A to USB C adapter and it worked on my Galaxy phone just fine for use with Yubico Authenticator. I could also use NFC of course but it is a pain to always have to turn on NFC and try to find just the right spot on the back of the phone that will read the key. Also the Static Password is super easy to set up and use with a user defined password, just choose the Scan Code button in the menu instead of Advanced, choose your keyboard type and then enter your desired password then write to key.

[musiceditor]

Do sites where you use a Yubikey store data about your fingerprint if you use a biometric key/ phone if you use an NFC key? i.e. would Amazon be able to see your fingerprint/ IMEI of your device if you were to use these keys to log in? Also, does Yubikey themselves collect any sort of data via these keys?? Heard a lot of these 'third party authenticator apps' mine a bunch of personal data.

LOVE your vids Rob. Greetings from the UK!

[dmitri]

Helpful review, I learn a lot. It sounds complicated. It can only store one password? If it is lost, what are the steps to protect ourselves, is there a revocation process?

[rameshchhablani]

A very good description and use of the Yubiko Nano key. I am going to buy this key. You answered the many questions I had as I wasn't sure which Yubico 5 to buy.
Thanks

[nikenbole]

You said you only can register one key at a time and u need to use either usb-c or usb-a. But I just got two yubikey 5 nfc usb-a version. and the services I've tried so far have let me registered both keys and it worked on my phone both with nfc and using a usb-a to usb-c adapter. Did u mean the adapter is a security flaw maybe?

[lee__]

Quick question please
I use key scrambler anti key logging software on my pc, would this stop a yubikey from working correctly as you said the plugged in yubikey sends the code through the pc to authenticate

[felixaudet]

It would be nice if you could do an update on that. So many sites now ask to take a pic of an on-screen QR code, as a 2FA method, can this be done with the Ubikey and is it as safe?

[dleivam]

Awesome review, not like other sold out bias youtubers that only mention the good things and "forget" the bad, only because the receive free stuff.

[NotAnFBLiesInformant]

Do you know if consumers can use the 5C FIPS series keys? I'm wondering if the regular 5 NFC series differs from the 5 FIPS series other than the added level of security on the FIPS. I ask because I'm wondering if let's say you want to secure your gmail account with the regular 5 series, can you also do it with the 5 FIPS series? Or are most accounts the average user utilizes only compatible with the regular 5 series and not the FIPS series? If I can still use the FIPS series that has government level 3 encryption vs. the regular 5 series, which only has level 1 encryption, than I'd rather just make the investment and pay slightly more for the FIPS version and get added security but I'm not sure if it's ONLY for government use or can regular consumers use it to and for the most part it would still function like the regular 5 series but with the added protection? Thanks for making your content, it's valuable in today's digital world 👍❗

[crabsodyinblue]

i got me the 5Ci, with a seperate USB-C to USB-A adapter (€12) to use it on mac, iphone and windows machine