Apple Adds USB Security Key Support in Latest Safari Preview

Users can enable a feature in the preview version of Safari that lets them log in with USB-based CTAP2 sticks, which offer more stringent protection than a standard text-based password.

• By Jessica Davis
• Dec 07, 2018

The latest preview version of Apple’s Safari includes support for the WebAuthentication API that allows users to log in with USB security sticks.

Users can enable a feature in the preview version of Safari that lets them log in with USB-based CTAP2 sticks, which offer more stringent protection than a standard text-based password. USB security key use does require keeping track of a physical device, though.

USB security keys are usually combined with password use to make it more difficult to hack or phish accounts. They’re also another option for two-factor authentication systems, as opposed to text messages or authentication apps.

Safari’s addition of WebAuthn support follows that of Firefox and Google Chrome earlier this year. Some individual websites and apps also support security key use, including Twitter and Office 365.

Safari Preview release 71 is available for download now. It’s unclear whether the feature will be included in a wide-release update.