The Yubico YubiKey 4 is an excellent option for implementing two-factor authentication. Two-factor authentication requires two separate elements before access is granted. In this case, one element is your password and the second is a physical factor, such as fingerprint verification or possession of the hardware key.
If you currently use a password manager such as LastPass or Dashlane, this device is a strong addition. The primary benefit is the ability to enable hardware-based two-factor authentication, requiring the YubiKey itself to authorize sign-ins even when the correct password is entered.
This means that even if someone learns your password, access is still blocked without the physical key. Most modern password managers and services support established security standards such as FIDO U2F, PIV smart card authentication, and OpenPGP, all of which are compatible with YubiKey devices.
The YubiKey works across Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, and Chrome OS, and is supported by all major web browsers. Many popular services also support YubiKey authentication, including Gmail, Facebook, Dropbox, Twitter, Dashlane, and LastPass.
Spending a small amount on additional security and keeping a YubiKey on your keychain can prevent far more costly problems later. Identity theft and account compromise consume time, money, and peace of mind. At the time of writing, the YubiKey has hundreds of reviews on Amazon with an average rating around 4.5 stars, reflecting broad adoption and trust in the device.
