Buzz
One of the top concerns today is data security. Some users are switching to third-party USB devices that act as data security keys for their personal computers.
It's as simple as this: without plugging in this security key, your computer won't unlock. There are two ways to create this security key to add an extra layer of protection: you can either purchase one or set up a USB password for yourself.
Here are the steps to create your own USB security key on Windows 10 using an old USB drive.
What is YubiKey?
Yubico company has developed YubiKey, a USB security key compatible with Windows Hello and a range of other services used for secure authentication, such as LastPass, KeePass, Google, Dropbox, and Evernote... Among these, Dropbox is software that supports online data backup, allowing you to upload and store any data on Dropbox to share with others.
Once you have a YubiKey security key in hand, all you need to do is plug the USB security key into your computer, register, and use it to unlock your computer. There are several different YubiKey options. You have the standard YubiKey that connects via USB, a smaller Nano YubiKey, and the YubiKey NEO that can connect via NFC like USB.
How to Create USB Security Key on Windows 10
Before you start the steps to create a security key on Windows 10, you need to consider some limitations below:
- Unfortunately, losing the USB key means you'll have difficulty unlocking and accessing your computer, especially if you've disabled password entry as a backup option.
- Additionally, you may lose the ability to use one of the USB ports on your computer when the USB key is active.
There are several software options you can choose to create your own USB security key, however, USB Raptor, Rohos Logon Key, and Predator are among the most popular and secure options available today. If you opt for Rohos Logon Key or Predator, you will have to pay a fee. Rohos Logon Key costs $34 and Predator costs $10.
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This process does not require your USB drive to have much free space, as all that is generated is a 1KB .k3y file.
Step 1: Download and install YubiKey from here: Download YubiKey Personalization Tool
Step 2: Once the installation is complete, launch YubiKey Personalization Tool.
At this point, USB Raptor will open, the next step is to plug your USB drive into the computer and proceed with the following steps below.
Step 3: Enter any password you want.
Step 4: Click on the down arrow icon and select Select USB drive.
Step 5: Click to select a drive. If only one USB drive is plugged into the USB port, you will only have one option available.
Step 6: Click to select Create k3y file.
Step 7: Check the box next to Enable USB Raptor if you are ready to use USB Raptor. At this point, a small popup window will appear in the bottom right corner of the screen to let you know that USB Raptor has been activated.
Step 8: Click to select Minimize to tray.
Right after ejecting the USB drive or removing it from the USB port, USB Raptor will lock your computer. A purple window with the USB Raptor logo will appear on the screen. Only when you plug the USB key back in will your computer be immediately unlocked.
To disable USB Raptor, it's very simple, you just need to reopen the application and uncheck the box next to Enable USB Raptor.
Advanced Settings for USB Raptor
USB Raptor settings include simple configurations and some advanced settings that users can fine-tune by checking the box next to Advanced configurations in the top right corner of the screen.
Here you can choose to use a backup password in case of lost USB drive, or pause locking when the USB is removed, whether the .k3y file matches the USB serial number or not, and many other options.
And of course, USB Raptor still works perfectly without needing to use advanced settings, so you don't have to fine-tune anything you don't want.
Are you using security keys?
Have you tried YubiKey or created your own security key yet? Is your security key working correctly? If you encounter any issues such as lost or faulty USB drives, feel free to leave a comment, Mytour will help you troubleshoot these errors.
Apart from storage functions, USBs have many other uses, especially for installing or ghosting Windows. To do that, users need to create a bootable USB on their device, and there are many software options available nowadays such as Hidren Boot or Grub4dos....
You can refer to the above method to create a Win 10 installation USB for your device, creating a Win 10 installation USB helps you save time and money by not having to go out and buy discs. This is a method many computer enthusiasts use because of its convenience.
If your USB is password protected by USB Flash Security software, and you don't want it anymore, you can remove the USB password directly in the software. USB Flash Security is one of the best tools for setting USB passwords today, suitable for all operating systems.
