More and more people and businesses are realizing that passwords alone are no longer enough . Phishing, data theft, and hacking attacks are on the rise – both in the private sphere and in companies. Many are therefore relying on the YubiKey for added security. But new technologies also raise new questions. In this article, we answer the most frequently asked questions about the YubiKey and explain why it's the best solution for online banking, ID services, company logins, and personal accounts .
How does a YubiKey work?
The internet was originally designed for information exchange – not for security. Today, we face sophisticated cyberattacks. Forgotten or reused passwords compromise the protection of your data.
The YubiKey is a hardware security key that protects your accounts with phishing-resistant multi-factor authentication (MFA) . Even if a hacker knows your password, they can't proceed without your physical YubiKey. Every login requires a quick touch or tap – secure, fast, and reliable.
Are YubiKeys easy to use?
Yes – a YubiKey can be set up in minutes, requires no batteries, and works anywhere. Many models are equipped with NFC , so you can simply hold the key to your smartphone or laptop.
Conveniently, with many services you don't need to use the YubiKey every time. Once verified, your access remains valid. And best of all: YubiKeys are affordable – the Security Key Series starts at around US$25.
What happens if I lose my YubiKey?
Just as you have spare keys for your house or car, you should also have a second YubiKey. We recommend registering a backup YubiKey right during setup.
If your primary key is lost, simply use the backup or recovery method. You can immediately remove the lost key from your account settings.
Can one YubiKey protect multiple accounts?
Yes. New models support up to 100 passkeys . This allows you to use a single YubiKey for numerous logins – such as for Google, Microsoft 365, Apple ID, Facebook, password managers, and ID services .
Important: The key does not store passwords, but generates a unique cryptographic signature for each service. Nevertheless, it is always recommended to set up a second YubiKey .
Which services and accounts support the YubiKey?
The list is constantly growing. YubiKeys are compatible with:
- Google, Apple and Microsoft
- Business applications & cloud services
- Facebook, X (Twitter) & other social networks
- Password managers like 1Password or Bitwarden
- Government ID services (e.g. eID, ID Austria, BundID)
A complete overview can be found in the official “ Works with YubiKey” catalog on the Yubico website.
Why is the YubiKey more secure than SMS codes or apps?
Any form of MFA is better than none – but not all are equally strong. SMS codes can be intercepted, and apps are vulnerable to phishing.
The YubiKey offers the highest level of protection:
- Hardware-based security
- Protection against phishing attacks
- Protocol verification
- Easy to use
This gives the YubiKey the highest level of trust in authentication. Once you've used it, you won't want to go back.
Conclusion: Buy a YubiKey – the key to your digital security
Whether for online banking, company logins, ID services, or personal accounts – the YubiKey reliably protects against password theft and phishing. It is easy to set up, affordable, and extremely secure .
👉 Buy your YubiKey now at yubikey-shop.at – your official specialist retailer for YubiKeys in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
