How To Set Up and Use YubiKey on a Mac [Beginner's Guide]

We all know that when it comes to security, the two most important things are: a strong password, and two-factor authentication. But is your Mac protected?

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The security of your Mac may be compromised and vulnerable to malicious attacks. One way to protect against these would be adding a security key, like the YubiKey, to your system.

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In this article, we'll show you how to set up your YubiKey on your Mac computer and use it with macOS Sierra.

 

What is a YubiKey?

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A YubiKey is a small USB device that you can use to securely login to your online accounts on Macbook. It works by generating a unique, one-time password (OTP) that you enter when prompted during the login process.

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YubiKeys are an easy and convenient way to add an extra layer of security to your online accounts. They're also very affordable, costing less than $50 for a basic model.

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If you're looking for a simple and effective way to protect your online accounts, a YubiKey is a great option.

 

Why do I need a YubiKey?

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If you've never heard of a YubiKey, don't worry—you're not alone. A YubiKey is a physical security key that can be used in lieu of a password to authenticate your identity on online services. While it may seem like an unnecessary step to take, using a YubiKey can actually help protect your online accounts from being hacked.

 

There are two main reasons why you might want to use a YubiKey:

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1. To add an extra layer of security to your online accounts

If you're concerned about the security of your online accounts, using a YubiKey can help give you peace of mind.

By requiring both your password and a physical key to login, it's much harder for someone to gain access to your account—even if they have your password.

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2. To avoid having to remember multiple passwords

If you're tired of trying to keep track of multiple passwords for different accounts, using a YubiKey can simplify your life. With a YubiKey, you only need to remember one password—the one for your YubiKey management account. Your other passwords can be generated and stored securely on the key itself.

 

 

Setting up the YubiKey on Macbook

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If you're new to YubiKeys and want to use one on your Mac, this guide will show you how to set it up.

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First, you'll need to insert your YubiKey into your computer's USB port.

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Once the key is inserted, open System Preferences and click on Security & Privacy.

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Under the "General" tab, you should see an option for "Allow user authentication with a security token."

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Click the checkbox next to this option and enter your password when prompted.

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Now that the YubiKey is set up, you can start using it for authentication. When prompted for a password or other sensitive information, simply insert the key into the USB port and touch the gold disk on the end of the key. This will cause the key to emit a One-Time Password (OTP) that can be used in lieu of a traditional password.

 

Using the YubiKey on Mac

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Assuming you have a YubiKey, the first thing you need to do is download the latest version of the YubiKey Personalization Tool from the YubiKey Windows sign in website.

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Once it's downloaded, open the application and insert your YubiKey into your Mac's USB port.

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Next, you'll need to select what kind of credential you want to use with your YubiKey. For this guide, we'll be using a static password, but you can also use it for things like two-factor authentication or PGP encryption.

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Once you've selected your credential type, enter in the required information and click "Program."

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Now that your YubiKey is programmed, you can start using it! To do so, simply insert it into your Mac's USB port and press the button on the key when prompted.

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Depending on what kind of credential you're using, you may be asked to enter additional information. If you ever need to remove or change your YubiKey's programming, simply open up the Personalization Tool and follow the prompts.

 

Conclusion

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Overall, using a YubiKey on a Mac is a pretty straightforward process. Once you have everything set up, it's just a matter of inserting the key and following the prompts. If you're looking for an additional layer of security for your online accounts, YubiKey is definitely worth considering.

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