Finally, the authenticator can limit how many PIN guesses can be made in a given time, or permanently block the PIN if too many incorrect attempts are made. Therefore, the hardware authenticator with a PIN provides a passwordless, phishing-resistant solution for authentication. This means that a PIN can be much simpler, shorter and does not need to change often, which reduces concerns and IT support loads for reset and recovery. In addition, since the PIN is not part of the security context for remotely authenticating the user, the PIN does not need the same security requirements as passwords that are sent across the network for verification. In contrast, a password is sent across a network to the service for validation, and that can be phished. A PIN is stored locally on the device, and is never sent across the network. The purpose of the PIN is to unlock the Security Key so it can perform its role. This has many of you wondering, “Well, isn’t that the same as needing to remember a password?”Ī PIN is actually different from a password. What’s the difference between a PIN and password?Īs stated above, one of the allowances with FIDO2 is the option to combine hardware-based authentication with an additional factor such as a PIN. Yeah, it is funny, but it's optional, and it makes sense when you learn about it. So what is that Pin for if never asked for? I just don't get it. They will only ask when you link the key to the web service for the first time. I noticed that many web services will not ask you for the pin, even if it is set.

If you set a Pin for the keys now: Is it possible that you lose the ability to use the keys as second factor for the existing web services (on which you had the keys registered when no FIDO2 pin was set)? Now you want to register one of the keys to another web service as second factor via FIDO2 but this web service realizes that no FIDO2 Pin is set, yet and therefore demands to create a Pin before allowing to link the key with the website. all of the keys where already registered to different web services, such as gmail - also to web services, which use FIDO2 WebAuthn.all of the keys don't have (and never had) a FIDO2 pin set.all of the keys have only FIDO2 and FIDO U2F enabled via the Yubikey Manager.Let's assume you have several Yubikeys from the Yubikey 5 series.

Yubikey 5 fido2