Ledger Hardware Wallet as a Security Key

USAGI

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Jul 18 09:23

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#1689

I recently wrote a review of the OnlyKey which covers the purpose of a security key (https://xmrbazaar.com/forum/topic/300/). What someone has recently told me is that the Ledger can be used as a security key as well, including the discontinued Nano S. While it lacks the password manager of Onlykey, its integrated PIN locking function also makes it a better choice than Yubikey. Your security key is generated by the hardware wallet using your seed phrase. So if your hardware wallet breaks, just like with your crypto, you can restore your security keys by using your seed to restore on a backup hardware wallet. So this also has a similar function to the Onlykey's backup.

Additionally as most of us already have a hardware wallet and you might have a Ledger, this is a good option to secure all your online accounts with a security key that has 2/3 of all the functions an OnlyKey has. The Ledger Nano S+ which is the cheapest wallet they sell is the same cost as an Onlykey when bought in the 3 pack bundle. However, entering the PIN is a bit cumbersome as there are only two buttons. If the Ledger is going to be used as a passkey I think it justifies buying the Ledger Nano for $180 USD for the touchscreen just so you have one device that does everything.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQ7N_C9ehJY

Edited: Jul 18 09:25

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Camylopez

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Jul 19 02:02

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#1690

It however locks you into the ledger ecosystem.

I currently don’t like using it, in case I lose my ledger, and have to buy another one. With a seed phrase there is not that risk, cause you can litrally put your same phrase on any other hardware wallets.

I’d not that I’m expecting to lose or have lost any ledger, you just have to be aware of the risks.

Ledger had a password manager which I no longer use. A firmware update wiped all my passwords, and I was locked out of everything. So yes it is a headache.

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USAGI

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Jul 19 09:14

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#1692

Reply to post #1690

For any 2FA device you should always buy in at least pairs, if not three at a time. It's the same with data storage. You don't need to buy multiple of the $180 ones, you can restore on the cheaper stick versions as far as I can tell. Ledger actually has a bundle for this specific end use which is what I bought, so I will see.

That said I can use a ledger as a security key while still using my onlykey because you can have multiple 2FA options. There's only a few websites that only let you have one 2FA login, and even those have SMS as a recovery option. This doesn't reduce your security since both Onlykey and Ledger are hardware PIN protected unlike Yubi.

I'm surprised they would get rid of a password function. If they had that I would actually switch entirely to Ledger aside from spreading my savings on multiple brands. I love the OnlyKey's one touch login, but if it had a screen it would be perfect. Even on the Onlykey while I can make a backup file for it, as it is not human readable so I still use a a regular password manager in conjunction as a third recovery backup just in case for whatever reason my onlykey backups gets corrupted since it is just a text file.

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Ledger Hardware Wallet as a Security Key