#security-keys — Public Fediverse posts

The Silent Breach and the Persistence of Unauthorized Access

938 words, 5 minutes read time.

Once the session token is successfully exfiltrated, the nature of the intrusion shifts from external deception to internal subversion. The attacker does not need to crack passwords or trigger further security alerts, as they are now effectively operating with the digital identity of a trusted employee. Analyzing these incidents, I see that the primary goal is often the establishment of persistence within the target environment, which is achieved through the modification of inbox rules or the creation of clandestine mailbox delegates. By silently forwarding incoming emails to an external address or creating hidden folders for sensitive correspondence, the adversary can monitor ongoing business deals, intercept financial instructions, and identify high-value targets for subsequent business email compromise attacks. This stage of the operation is characterized by extreme patience, as the threat actor avoids loud, disruptive actions in favor of a low-and-slow approach that can remain undetected for months. The tragedy is that the victim often remains entirely unaware of the breach, believing they are still securely authenticated while their environment is being methodically picked apart from the inside.

Challenging the Failure of Traditional Defensive Postures

When considering why these attacks continue to succeed with such alarming frequency, it becomes evident that the industry’s reliance on legacy defensive postures is a failing strategy. Many organizations still treat email security as a static barrier, implementing blacklists and rudimentary heuristic scans that are easily circumvented by adversaries who control their own infrastructure and rotating IP addresses. Furthermore, the human-centric nature of these scams renders technical controls inherently insufficient unless they are paired with a cultural shift toward skeptical verification. It is not enough to deploy an automated solution if the culture within a firm encourages speed over accuracy and ignores the red flags of irregular communication patterns. Consequently, the defense against these campaigns must evolve into a proactive, threat-hunting discipline that monitors for anomalous login locations, unexpected session durations, and unauthorized changes to account configurations. Without this layer of vigilant oversight, the technical barriers essentially act as a screen door, providing the illusion of protection while failing to stop the actual threat.

Implementing Rigorous Verification Protocols in a High-Stakes Environment

The path forward requires a departure from the convenience-first mindset that dominates modern digital work environments. Organizations must adopt hardware-backed authentication methods, such as FIDO2-compliant security keys, which are resistant to the proxy-based interception tactics that currently plague mobile-based push notifications and SMS codes. Additionally, the adoption of strict device posture checks ensures that an attacker cannot simply use a stolen session token from an unauthorized machine or an unrecognized geographic region. Beyond the hardware, there must be a fundamental hardening of organizational processes, such as implementing mandatory out-of-band verification for any request involving financial transfers or the sharing of sensitive credentials. It is a harsh reality that trust is the primary vulnerability in any system, and the most secure posture is one that treats every incoming request as potentially malicious until proven otherwise through independent channels. While this might introduce friction into the workflow, that friction is the necessary price of security in an age where the cost of a single successful breach is often the survival of the entity itself.

Call to Action

The time for passive observation has passed, as the threats currently infiltrating our inboxes are not waiting for an invitation to compromise your organization. You must decide whether to continue relying on outdated defensive protocols that offer only the illusion of safety or to begin the hard work of hardening your infrastructure against the reality of modern adversarial tactics. I urge you to conduct an immediate audit of your current authentication stack and evaluate the necessity of migrating to hardware-backed security keys, as this is the single most effective step you can take to neutralize the threat of proxy-based session hijacking. Furthermore, initiate a comprehensive review of your internal communication policies to ensure that your team is empowered to question anomalies rather than blindly following the path of least resistance. Security is not a product you purchase, but a discipline you practice, and the responsibility to bridge the gap between your existing defenses and the current threat reality rests entirely with you. Do not wait for a compromised session to force your hand, because by the time the impact of a breach is visible, the damage is already absolute.

D. Bryan King

Sources

• CISA: Business Email Compromise (BEC) Resources
• FBI: Business Email Compromise Information
• FIDO Alliance: Defining Phishing-Resistant Authentication
• Microsoft: Analyzing Adversary-in-the-Middle (AiTM) Techniques
• NIST: Digital Identity Guidelines
• CrowdStrike: Phishing and Social Engineering Analysis
• Palo Alto Networks: Business Email Compromise Explained
• SANS Institute: Protecting Against Advanced Email Threats
• Cybereason: BEC Threat Landscape Report
• Check Point: The Evolution of Phishing
• Proofpoint: Understanding BEC Attacks
• Dark Reading: The Mechanics of Session Hijacking
• ZDNet: The New Era of Targeted Phishing
• Wired: Why Modern Phishing is Succeeding
• Trend Micro: BEC Comprehensive Guide
• Recorded Future: BEC Trend Analysis
• Infosecurity Magazine: FIDO2 and Phishing Resistance
• Varonis: Modern Phishing Techniques Deep Dive
• CSO Online: The Mechanics of BEC
• Fortinet: Cybersecurity Glossary on BEC
• SANS: Analyzing MFA Bypass Tactics
• BleepingComputer: Evolution of Phishing Kits
• Secureworks: BEC Defensive Strategies
• CISA: Mitigating Phishing Campaigns
• Mandiant: Evolving Tactics in BEC
• NIST: Phishing Training Resources
• TechTarget: BEC Definition and Prevention
• Elastic: Detecting Phishing Infrastructure
• Rapid7: The Threat of Session Token Theft
• Cloudflare: Understanding FIDO2 Protocol

Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed in this post are solely those of the author. The information provided is based on personal research, experience, and understanding of the subject matter at the time of writing. Readers should consult relevant experts or authorities for specific guidance related to their unique situations.

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Actually, you just significantly reduced my security, Gandi. You should have let the users manage this transition, or at least warn them ahead of time what was going to happen if they didn't.

Replacing unphishable auth (old school U2F is still quite functional!) with phishable auth (email) without user consent is not acceptable.

#Gandi #SecurityKeys #U2F

Actually, you just significantly reduced my security, Gandi. You should have let the users manage this transition, or at least warn them ahead of time what was going to happen if they didn't.

Replacing unphishable auth (old school U2F is still quite functional!) with phishable auth (email) without user consent is not acceptable.

#Gandi #SecurityKeys #U2F

Durch den #CLT2025 Talk zu Passwortlose Logins mit #PassKeys https://media.ccc.de/v/clt25-188-passwortlose-logins-mit-passkeys bin ich auf die #Token2 PIN+ #Securitykeys aufmerksam geworden https://token2.com/shop/category/pin-plus-series
Die DualPort Keys sind wohl sehr nützlich, haben 300 Resident Keys, kommen mit Hülle und kosten nur 26€.
Zur Wasserfestigkeit finde ich leider nichts.
Würde mich über Erfahrungsberichte freuen.
#FIDO2

X users, time is ticking—re-enroll your 2FA keys by November 10, 2025, or risk getting locked out. Find out how this move is set to tackle rising cyber threats and secure your account for the future!

https://thedefendopsdiaries.com/mandatory-2fa-security-key-re-enrollment-for-x-users-by-november-10-2025-what-you-need-to-know/

#2fa
#securitykeys
#accountsecurity
#phishingprotection
#cybersecurity2025

X users, time is ticking—re-enroll your 2FA keys by November 10, 2025, or risk getting locked out. Find out how this move is set to tackle rising cyber threats and secure your account for the future!

https://thedefendopsdiaries.com/mandatory-2fa-security-key-re-enrollment-for-x-users-by-november-10-2025-what-you-need-to-know/

#2fa
#securitykeys
#accountsecurity
#phishingprotection
#cybersecurity2025

Well, that's something you don't see every day - a still-panelized set of 16 security keys!

I'm told these were part of Google's Titan / Gnubby development process. (Artemis was a daughter of Leto, who was a Titan -- get it?)

I assume they don't have firmware on them yet, but it might be tricky to find out non-invasively.

#SecurityKeys #Gnubby

Well, that's something you don't see every day - a still-panelized set of 16 security keys!

I'm told these were part of Google's Titan / Gnubby development process. (Artemis was a daughter of Leto, who was a Titan -- get it?)

I assume they don't have firmware on them yet, but it might be tricky to find out non-invasively.

#SecurityKeys #Gnubby

Security key that's new to me: Thetis Nano-C!

https://thetis.io/products/thetis-nano-c-fido2-security-key-device-passkey-usb-c

Also news to me, I'm clearly behind: FIDO2 has levels:

https://fidoalliance.org/certification/authenticator-certification-levels/

This key is FIDO2 L1, and different applications may require different levels. Notably here, L1 is the minimum to get any certification at all, and you can't get L2 unless you have an actual secure hardware element. So with the device at this level, you get the independence of a separate physical object with a dramatically simpler software surface, but I suspect it might be easier to get secrets right off the key with physical possession.

(Note that this is an organic post, not sponsored in any way. Happened upon it in an eBay listing. I never do solicited or compensated endorsements)

#SecurityKeys

Security key that's new to me: Thetis Nano-C!

https://thetis.io/products/thetis-nano-c-fido2-security-key-device-passkey-usb-c

Also news to me, I'm clearly behind: FIDO2 has levels:

https://fidoalliance.org/certification/authenticator-certification-levels/

This key is FIDO2 L1, and different applications may require different levels. Notably here, L1 is the minimum to get any certification at all, and you can't get L2 unless you have an actual secure hardware element. So with the device at this level, you get the independence of a separate physical object with a dramatically simpler software surface, but I suspect it might be easier to get secrets right off the key with physical possession.

(Note that this is an organic post, not sponsored in any way. Happened upon it in an eBay listing. I never do solicited or compensated endorsements)

#SecurityKeys

GoDaddy makes you pick which security key you want to be prompted for by default, and only allows this key to be presented unless you follow the "try another way" workflow.

What is the purpose / threat model of this? It seems unnecessarily high friction to me, and as far as I know is not done by any other platform.

#SecurityKeys

GoDaddy makes you pick which security key you want to be prompted for by default, and only allows this key to be presented unless you follow the "try another way" workflow.

What is the purpose / threat model of this? It seems unnecessarily high friction to me, and as far as I know is not done by any other platform.

#SecurityKeys

Since the last time I logged in fresh, Google has moved "2-step only" (non-passkey) security keys to be the first factor prompted for.

Only after a good key is presented is the user prompted for their password.

You are then prompted to create a passkey "instead", with a "Not now" option.

#SecurityKeys #MFA

Since the last time I logged in fresh, Google has moved "2-step only" (non-passkey) security keys to be the first factor prompted for.

Only after a good key is presented is the user prompted for their password.

You are then prompted to create a passkey "instead", with a "Not now" option.

#SecurityKeys #MFA

TIL Proton dropped their maximum supported security keys (some time after mid-August 2024) from 8 to 4 keys?! (Notice the tiny "8 out of 4" label, because I had registered the maximum 8 keys)

I suspect my current config will be stable until I need to explicitly delete a key, in which case I won't be able to add a replacement unless I delete five keys. 😡

#MFA #SecurityKeys #FIDO2 #Proton

TIL Proton dropped their maximum supported security keys (some time after mid-August 2024) from 8 to 4 keys?! (Notice the tiny "8 out of 4" label, because I had registered the maximum 8 keys)

I suspect my current config will be stable until I need to explicitly delete a key, in which case I won't be able to add a replacement unless I delete five keys. 😡

#MFA #SecurityKeys #FIDO2 #Proton

Nutzt hier jemand Dropbox über den Safari-Browser auf macOS und hat Google Titan Keys? Lassen sich bei euch die Titan Keys als Security Keys im Dropbox-Account hinterlegen? In Safari klappt die Einbindung nicht. Es kommt die Fehlermeldung "Key Not Found". In Edge konnte ich einen von zwei Titan Keys einrichten. #fido2 #securitykeys #dropbox

Locking Down Your Digital Life: Why Security Keys Are Your Ultimate Shield https://youtu.be/W8JoSShkD4c #cybersecurity #securitykeys #yubikey #passkeys #riskmanagement

https://www.forbes.com/sites/daveywinder/2024/12/05/gmail-takeover-hack-attack-google-warns-you-have-just-7-days-to-act/?utm_source=flipboard&utm_content=forbes%2Fmagazine%2FInnovation #cybersecurity #Gmail #lockout #passkeys #securitykeys

TIL the maximum number of security keys I can add to my Apple account is ... six. 😢

Say it ain't so, @rmondello !

#SecurityKeys

TIL the maximum number of security keys I can add to my Apple account is ... six. 😢

Say it ain't so, @rmondello !

#SecurityKeys

It's been 12 days since I (and a few others) noticed ... and we're still unable to rename security keys within a Google Account.

https://www.reddit.com/r/GoogleSupport/comments/1gahuqa/cannot_rename_fido2_security_key/

Renaming keys is essential, to keep them identified and disambiguated.

#Google #SecurityKeys #FIDO2

It's been 12 days since I (and a few others) noticed ... and we're still unable to rename security keys within a Google Account.

https://www.reddit.com/r/GoogleSupport/comments/1gahuqa/cannot_rename_fido2_security_key/

Renaming keys is essential, to keep them identified and disambiguated.

#Google #SecurityKeys #FIDO2

@techlore made a video about my basic security research on the #VisionPro

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzuFNFx2_Jo

for those people who want good security for their #Apple account, and use #SecurityKeys, other people, even Apple (sales reps at the store when I returned mine), recommend creating a new Apple ID and not securing it

aside from the lapse in #security, it also means any apps or media that i've purchased with my main Apple account would have to be repurchased

no?

@techlore made a video about my basic security research on the #VisionPro

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzuFNFx2_Jo

for those people who want good security for their #Apple account, and use #SecurityKeys, other people, even Apple (sales reps at the store when I returned mine), recommend creating a new Apple ID and not securing it

aside from the lapse in #security, it also means any apps or media that i've purchased with my main Apple account would have to be repurchased

no?

Security key vendor I hadn't seen before: "SLING". Appears to be repackaged TrustKey (formerly eWBM) T110 and T120. Interestingly, the hostname (www dot slingsecure dot com) does not currently resolve.

#securitykeys #fido2

Security key vendor I hadn't seen before: "SLING". Appears to be repackaged TrustKey (formerly eWBM) T110 and T120. Interestingly, the hostname (www dot slingsecure dot com) does not currently resolve.

#securitykeys #fido2

Coinbase has also broken the logic around enforcing the current max 5 security keys - it lets you try to add a 6th, but then fails with an unknown error.

#coinbase #securitykeys

Coinbase has also broken the logic around enforcing the current max 5 security keys - it lets you try to add a 6th, but then fails with an unknown error.

#coinbase #securitykeys

Well, that answers that question. 😭​

And I assume this error was mistakenly put in a transient-error bucket, for which "try later today" is an applicable response. This error doesn't appear fleeting.

#passkeys #securitykeys #yubikey #coinbase

Well, that answers that question. 😭​

And I assume this error was mistakenly put in a transient-error bucket, for which "try later today" is an applicable response. This error doesn't appear fleeting.

#passkeys #securitykeys #yubikey #coinbase

🔐 Unlocking the World of Cryptography: DH and ECDHE Keys Explained in our latest article. Stay tuned for insights into OpenSSL configurations, minimum protocol requirements, and strategies to enhance backend security. 🔍💻

#Cryptography #SecurityProtocols #DHKey #ECDHEKey #SSL #TLS #VPN #CyberSecurity #Encryption #TechInsights #RELIANOID #LoadBalancer #DigitalSecurity #TechTroubleshooting #CryptographyExplained #SecurityKeys #DHKeyExchange #ECDHEKey #SSLProtocol #TLSConnection #VPNSecurity

Well, that's the source of the key I found on eBay. How did I not hear about these new security keys sooner??

"Google’s new Titan Security Keys let you store passkeys"

https://9to5google.com/2023/11/15/titan-security-key-passkey/

And the Google blog post says they hold up to 250 passkeys.

Blog post: https://blog.google/technology/safety-security/titan-security-key-google-store/

Google Store link (waitlist only at this writing): https://store.google.com/product/titan_security_key

#passkeys #securitykeys

Well, that's the source of the key I found on eBay. How did I not hear about these new security keys sooner??

"Google’s new Titan Security Keys let you store passkeys"

https://9to5google.com/2023/11/15/titan-security-key-passkey/

And the Google blog post says they hold up to 250 passkeys.

Blog post: https://blog.google/technology/safety-security/titan-security-key-google-store/

Google Store link (waitlist only at this writing): https://store.google.com/product/titan_security_key

#passkeys #securitykeys

A Google Titan Security Key variant that I hadn't seen before. The keyring hole is wider than the one I've seen, and, the touch surface is square-ish rather than round. UPC is 860000026062. The stated model number is K52T, which is consistent with FEITIAN model namespace. Not clear whether it's also NFC - will update when I find out.

Update 2023-011-15: Official new type of key, supports NFC, and has room for 250 passkeys!

https://blog.google/technology/safety-security/titan-security-key-google-store/

#securitykeys #fido2

A Google Titan Security Key variant that I hadn't seen before. The keyring hole is wider than the one I've seen, and, the touch surface is square-ish rather than round. UPC is 860000026062. The stated model number is K52T, which is consistent with FEITIAN model namespace. Not clear whether it's also NFC - will update when I find out.

Update 2023-011-15: Official new type of key, supports NFC, and has room for 250 passkeys!

https://blog.google/technology/safety-security/titan-security-key-google-store/

#securitykeys #fido2

@hertg my personal opinion is that for an #IdP it should work without JS because you have everything needed server-side AND you have a server.
For client-side-only apps though, that's where JS is allowed (and a must actually)
#javascript #identity #securitykeys #Passkeys #webauthn #iam #idp #openid #authentication #webdev

@hertg my personal opinion is that for an #IdP it should work without JS because you have everything needed server-side AND you have a server.
For client-side-only apps though, that's where JS is allowed (and a must actually)
#javascript #identity #securitykeys #Passkeys #webauthn #iam #idp #openid #authentication #webdev

Requiring Javascript for Login Flows

The modern web and all its client-side code makes #javascript pretty much a requirement to surf the internet. Should #identity providers still go the extra step to make login flows work without javascript or is it reasonable to make JS a requirement?

Please comment if you want to add nuance, and thanks for sharing :)

btw. Google and Microsoft require JS for logins while Facebook, Amazon, and Github apparently don't. But JS obviously becomes a requirement once you use #securitykeys / #passkeys / #webauthn.

#iam #idp #openid #authentication #webdev

Requiring Javascript for Login Flows

The modern web and all its client-side code makes #javascript pretty much a requirement to surf the internet. Should #identity providers still go the extra step to make login flows work without javascript or is it reasonable to make JS a requirement?

Please comment if you want to add nuance, and thanks for sharing :)

btw. Google and Microsoft require JS for logins while Facebook, Amazon, and Github apparently don't. But JS obviously becomes a requirement once you use #securitykeys / #passkeys / #webauthn.

#iam #idp #openid #authentication #webdev

Recently added quite a few finger-sized gadgets!
- Kingston DataTraveler Exodia 64GB
- Orico USB-C female to USB-A male
- PortaPow Data Blocker Pure - Prevents juice jacking
- Sandisk Ultra Luxe 64GB
- Kingston Ironkey Locker+ 50 32GB
- Yubico Security Key USB C NFC

Really happy with the performance of each product so far.

#usbflashdrive #KingstonIronkeyLocker50 #IronKey #yubico #yubikeys #Orico #portapow #juicejacking #sandisk #flashdrives #securitykeys #datablocker #usbcondom #newtoys

So apparently, according to Yubico's CS, they accidentally placed a "normal", no-barcode Security Key into an "Enterprise Edition" packaging and told me not worry about it. They advised me to reset the key with ykman if I was still worried.

#yubikey #yubikeys #yubico #OnlineSecurity #CyberSecurity #hardwarekey #securitykeys #fido2

For decades, users have authenticated on systems with usernames and passwords. This method of authentication has not changed since the beginning of the Internet. As the Internet became a more hostile place and threats emerged, ...

https://blog.tinned-software.net/secure-authentication-and-how-it-changed-over-time/

#security #securitykey #securitykeys #fido #fido2 #totp #passkey

For decades, users have authenticated on systems with usernames and passwords. This method of authentication has not changed since the beginning of the Internet. As the Internet became a more hostile place and threats emerged, ...

https://blog.tinned-software.net/secure-authentication-and-how-it-changed-over-time/

#security #securitykey #securitykeys #fido #fido2 #totp #passkey

They're here! Not sure why I got the Enterprise Edition though... Seems the only difference is a bar code on the backside compared to having nothing on the normal version. #yubikey #yubikeys #yubico #CyberSecurity #OnlineSecurity #securitykeys #2FAkey #2fa

#Development #Launches
Introducing passwordless authentication on GitHub.com · GitHub users can now start securing their accounts with passkeys https://ilo.im/142na7

_____
#GitHub #PasswordLess #Authentication #Security #WebDevelopment #WebDev #Frontend #Backend #Device #SecurityKeys #PassKeys

For those that use #hardware #SecurityKeys (#YubiKey etc) do you have a #backup at home or offsite? Do you just carry key(s) with you? I'm curious!

This is a multiple choice poll, pick the option(s) that apply to you!

Boost for reach? Thanks! 😊

(I have a key I carry with me, as well as a backup in a secure place at home, and a key at a trusted friends place as an offsite backup. Yes, adding new keys can be frustrating with managing the offsite ones back and forth...)

#Security #FIDO #TOTP

@hexmasteen
1Password, AOL, Apple, AWS, Bank of America, Bitucket, Cloudflare, Coinbase, Dropbox, Facebook, Fastmail, Gandi, GitHub, GitLab, GoDaddy, Google, Login.gov, Mastodon, MongoDB, Namecheap, Nitrado, Norton, NVIDIA, PayPal, Proton, Stripe, StrongKey, Twitter, runZero, Wordpress, Yahoo, ZeroTier
#securitykeys

#Apple #Security #SecurityKeys

I recently started to use hardware security keys with my Apple ID. Got a bunch of security keys which work on macOS, and some also with iOS.

All seems quite well so far. One thing that doesn’t work - the otherwise great Xcodes app by @mattkiazyk. I don’t blame the app. I wish Apple offered clean support to log in for such apps, I don’t think it’s possible right now.

https://github.com/RobotsAndPencils/XcodesApp/issues/357

Does anyone know if changing Apple ID password with just the Passcode is prevented when you have security keys added to your account? Asking for a friend. #AppleID #fido #securitykeys

Hackers Claim They Breached T-Mobile More Than 100 Times in 2022 https://krebsonsecurity.com/2023/02/hackers-claim-they-breached-t-mobile-more-than-100-times-in-2022/ #InternationalComputerScienceInstitute #ALittleSunshine #NicholasWeaver #DataBreaches #AllisonNixon #SecurityKeys #SIMSwapping #WebFraud2.0 #SIMswapping #Minecraft #T-Mobile #Unit221B #Roblox #tmoup

Hackers Claim They Breached T-Mobile More Than 100 Times in 2022

https://krebsonsecurity.com/2023/02/hackers-claim-they-breached-t-mobile-more-than-100-times-in-2022/

#InternationalComputerScienceInstitute #ALittleSunshine #NicholasWeaver #DataBreaches #AllisonNixon #SecurityKeys #SIMSwapping #SIMswapping #WebFraud20 #Minecraft #Unit221B #TMobile #Roblox #tmoup