Happlink / PlugUp died, but you can still use their U2F USB key
Posted by jpluimers on 2020/01/31
Nothing lasts, so the company behind the U2F key on the right is long gone, but their site is archived in Archive.is and the WayBack machine. Since the U2F protocol is open, you can still set up the device and use it. Here is how for your Google account (for instance with GMail), it works in a similar way for other providers:
- [Archive.is] Use Security Key for 2-Step Verification – Google Account Help
- [Archive.is] Add a Security Key to your Google Account – Google Account Help
- Go to the 2-Step Verification page section of My Account: https://myaccount.google.com/signinoptions/two-step-verification
- Click Add security key.
- Follow the on-screen instructions.
- [Archive.is] Sign in with Security Key (2-Step Verification) – Google Account Help
- Enter your username and password like you normally do.
- When prompted, insert your Security Key into a USB port on your computer
- Note: If your Security Key doesn’t have a button, you’ll need to remove and reinsert it every time you need to use it.
Archived links:
- www.pu1.fr/sk used to redirect to sk.plug-up.com which in the end redirected to sk.happlink.com/plugup/en/
- Archive.is: Happlink (formerly Plug-up) | Security Key
- WayBack: Happlink (formerly Plug-up) | Security Key
- WayBack: Plug-up Security KEY
- WayBack: www.pu1.fr/sk
Some of their videos are also still online (embedded links at the bottom of the post):
- Plug-up FIDO U2F Security Key : How To Use
- FIDO U2F Security Key : Registration
- The FIDO Security Key commercial on Bmpcc
U2F (or Universal 2nd Factor – Wikipedia) has an open protocol by FIDO Alliance – Wikipedia. More on that in these links below.
One final odd note:
The FIDO alliance still listed Happlink on their web-site when I wrote this blog post.
It used to be at this address: Happlink, 4 rue Jehan Le Povrmoyne, 76240 Le Mesnil-Esnard, France
- [Archive.is] FIDO Alliance How FIDO Works – FIDO Alliance
- [Archive.is] FIDO Alliance What Makes FIDO Different? – FIDO Alliance
Video links:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbWZEuZWKF8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjuG0Osr0Yg
–jeroen
Image source: carte_SK2.jpg (480×480)
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