Twitter to soon let you use only hardware security keys for safer logins

Twitter said it would also allow users to enroll multiple keys for logging in.

A mobile phone user turns on Twitter application on his smartphone in Moscow, Twitter says it will soon give users the the option to add and use security keys as your only authentication method, without any other methods turned on (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko) (AP)

Twitter will soon allow users to use security keys as the only authentication method. The company also announced that users can now enrol multiple hardware security keys for logging in.

The social networking application already allows users to enable two-factor authentication for more secure log-ins. Users can also use a security key to sign in to their accounts, but they need to first turn on the 2FA methods, such as SMS code or an authentication app.

Secure your account (and that alt) with multiple security keys. Now you can enroll and log in with more than one physical key on both mobile and web.

And coming soon: the option to add and use security keys as your only authentication method, without any other methods turned on.

— Twitter Support (@TwitterSupport) March 15, 2021

Hardware security keys are considered more secure than conventional authentication processes. These keys are available through physical keys that connect to your PC via USB or Bluetooth. Users do not require to enter a code on their phone, making it difficult for hackers to access your account.

“Secure your account (and that alt) with multiple security keys. Now you can enrol and login with more than one physical key on both mobile and web. And coming soon: the option to add and use security keys as your only authentication method, without any other methods turned on,” said Twitter on Monday.

Twitter has not shared a timeline for the official rollout of the security keys-only authentication, reports TheVerge.

The social networking company had added support for security keys for accounts with two-factor authentication enabled in December last year. The support was extended to both iOS and Android apps. The desktop support had already been rolled out.

According to a CNET report, Twitter's move to hardware security keys could also pave the way for eliminating the need for passwords. 

Microsoft, for instance, has made multiple efforts in this direction. The report further said that over 200 million users have moved to passwordless login for Microsoft services such as Outlook and Xbox Live.