Hardware Security Keys (FIDO2)
$25-60 per keyOpen Sourceidentity
Physical authentication devices that provide phishing-resistant two-factor authentication for your streaming accounts and prevent account takeover.
Threats Mitigated
- ✓Account takeover via phishing
- ✓Password database breaches
- ✓SIM swapping attacks
- ✓OAuth token theft
- ✓Session hijacking
Setup Steps
- 1Purchase 2-3 FIDO2-compliant keys (YubiKey, Titan, SoloKeys)
- 2Register primary key on all critical accounts (streaming platform, email, payment processors)
- 3Register backup key and store in secure location (safe, bank deposit box)
- 4Remove SMS-based 2FA from all accounts
- 5Test authentication flow to ensure it works correctly
- 6Document which accounts use which keys
- 7Keep one key on keychain, one in secure home location, one in off-site backup
Common Pitfalls
- ⚠Only registering one key - lose it and you're locked out
- ⚠Not removing SMS 2FA after adding hardware key (attackers can still use SMS)
- ⚠Using non-FIDO2 keys that don't provide phishing resistance
- ⚠Forgetting to register key on email account used for password recovery
- ⚠Not testing the backup key before storing it off-site
Data Retention & Privacy
Hardware keys do not transmit or store any identifiable information. All cryptographic operations occur on-device. The key itself only stores private keys that never leave the device.
Alternatives
- •YubiKey 5 Series (USB-A, USB-C, NFC, Lightning options)
- •Google Titan Security Key
- •SoloKeys (open hardware)
- •Nitrokey FIDO2
- •Thetis FIDO2