Linux

48159 readers

951 users here now

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

Rules

Posts must be relevant to operating systems running the Linux kernel. GNU/Linux or otherwise.
No misinformation
No NSFW content
No hate speech, bigotry, etc

Related Communities

Community icon by Alpár-Etele Méder, licensed under CC BY 3.0

founded 5 years ago

MODERATORS

[email protected]

Hardware security key options? (tsukihi.me)

submitted 10 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

34 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Hardware security key options?

I've been thinking about getting a hardware security key and have heard of yubikey before; but I want to see what my options are and if they are worth it in your opinion.
My current setup is a local KeePassXC database (that I sync between my PC and phone and also acts as TOTP authenticator app), I know that KeePass supports hardware keys for unlocking the database.

I am personally still of the belief that passwords are the safest when done right; but 2FA/MFA can greatly increase security on top of that (again, if done right).
The key work work together with already existing passwords, not replace them.

As I use linux as my primary OS I do expect it to support it and anything that doesn't I will have to pass on.

PS: what are the things I need to know about these hardware keys that's not being talked about too much, I am very much delving into new territory and want to make sure I'm properly educated before I delve in.

@linux @[email protected] @[email protected] @privacy #2FA #MFA #yubikey #InfoSec #CyberSecurity

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (2 children)

If you're insane this company makes hardware keys that you can implant under your skin and read via nfc https://dangerousthings.com/product/apex-flex/

(There is also a ring version if for some reason you don't want to shove a microchip inside you 🫣)

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Let's *NOT* go that route.

I'm very much looking for a hardware key to avoid biometrics (I can have a field day expressing my opinions on those; but in general they tend to be the weakest MFA factor and most have known working bypasses based on photos).
This leans a little too close to that for me to consider, let alone all of the things you have to consider when putting implants in your body.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago

Just wanted to add something different from the other posts, definately not recommending it.

That being said, it is a hardware key. You can set it up as a Fido2 key, making it as secure as any of the other options here, it is not biometrics.

Like I mentioned, you have to be a little crazy to go that route

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Thanks for this, I’ve actually been seriously considering a microchip implant for a while, is it open source? I don’t want proprietary code inside me if I can help it.

I’ve had a magnet embedded in my pinky for about 7 years now. It’s wild fun having an extra sense, I’ve actually been planning its replacement as it’s gotten much weaker the last year or so. Neodymium magnets do eventually lose their charge, and heat causes it to happen faster.

[–] Para_lyzed 3 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (1 children)

It runs JavaCard OS, which is developed by Oracle and not open source. Even though it also runs JavaCard OS, I'd recommend the flexSecure JavaCard from Dangerous Things (for the same price as the Apex Flex), because all of its applets are open source: https://dangerousthings.com/product/flexsecure/. It isn't quite as "seamless", because it doesn't have the closed-source app store available for it that the Apex Flex does, but it instead uses open-source applets that you can load onto it. Regardless, either option will run a closed-source OS, but as far as secure verification goes (by using challenge-response instead of static keys which could be read and copied like old RFID tags), JavaCard is currently the best option. And as far as implantable chips go, the flexSecure JavaCard and the Apex Flex are the 2 best chips on the market to my knowledge.

The silver lining is that there are plenty of open source applets you can run on JavaCards (like the flexSecure ones written by Dangerous Things)

[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago

Great answer, I will add that another major difference between the Apex Flex and the FlexSecure is the FlexSecure comes with factory default signing keys (which you can change), while the Apex Flex does not. This means you can't add your own applets the Apex Flex. Para_lyzed touched on this but I wanted to emphasize that the flexsecure gives you the ability to fully manage the implant while the Apex Flex doesn't. There are trade-offs of course.