Security key

A security key, also known as a security object, is a physical object required to authenticate a computer user. When paired with a unique password, a security key can grant an authorized user permission to access some or all of a computer. Consequently, security keys are often sought by hackers trying to access a secured system.

A security key can be in the form of almost any physical object, such as a keycard, but can also be a unique biometric identifier such as a palm print or retinal pattern, and might also be another computer.