Security keys as an additional layer of protection for Apple ID accounts. Apple has introduced security keys as an additional step to help users protect their Apple ID accounts. In this article, we’ll see into why this alternative authentication method stands out as the most secure option available, and we’ll guide you through the simple steps to set it up and safeguard your account.
What Are Security Keys?
With the release of iOS 16.3, iPadOS 16.3, and macOS Ventura 13.2, Apple introduced support for security keys, or physical devices that can verify your Apple ID instead of a passcode.
Apple has developed this feature with the specific needs of individuals who face targeted attacks, such as phishing or social engineering scams, in mind. By introducing security keys, Apple aims to provide an extra layer of protection for such users.
The inclusion of security keys offers a significant advantage: even if someone were to acquire your Apple ID and password, they would still be unable to gain access to your account without possession of your physical security key. This key serves as a replacement for the traditional verification code utilized in two-factor authentication. With this innovative approach, Apple ensures that your account remains highly secure, safeguarding your valuable information from unauthorized access.
How Do Security Keys Work?
Once you enable a security key, the process of signing into an Apple ID becomes even more secure. To access your account, you’ll first need to enter your account password. However, the key difference lies in the subsequent step of the two-factor authentication process. Rather than receiving a conventional six-digit verification code on another Apple device connected to the same account, you’ll utilize the added security of a physical security key to complete the authentication process. This enhanced method provides an extra layer of protection, ensuring that only authorized individuals with access to the physical key can successfully authenticate and access your Apple ID.
The Value of Security Keys:-
Right from the start, it’s important to highlight that when you opt to use physical security keys, the responsibility falls on you to ensure their safekeeping. Losing these keys could result in permanent loss of access to your Apple account. To mitigate this risk, Apple mandates users to set up a minimum of two security keys while offering support for a maximum of six. By requiring multiple keys, Apple aims to provide users with a safety net, minimizing the likelihood of complete account lockout due to a misplaced or lost security key.
Having two physical security keys set up means you can keep them in more than one safe place. For example, you could keep one at home and one in your workplace, or you could keep one with you when traveling while the other one remains safe at home.
Once you have security keys set up, you can use them to sign in with your Apple ID on a new device or on the web, reset your Apple ID password, and add additional security keys or remove them from your account.
What You Can’t Do With Security Keys
There are a few things worth noting that you can’t do with security keys.
- You can’t use them to sign in to iCloud for Windows.
- You can’t sign in to older devices that can’t be updated to a software version that supports security keys.
- Security keys don’t support child accounts and Managed Apple IDs.
- Apple Watches that are paired with a family member’s iPhone aren’t supported.
Security Keys Worth Considering
Most security keys look similar to a typical USB thumb drive, with some options available with NFC for wireless use and others equipped with Lightning, USB-C, and/or USB-A ports for direct connectivity with iPhones, iPads, and Macs.
There are many options on the market when buying security keys, but the main things to consider when choosing one are that it is FIDO Certified and that it has a connector that works with your Apple devices. Some options recommended by Apple include:
