USB Key is a hardware device with USB interface. It has a built-in microcontroller or smart card chip, has a certain storage space, can store the user's private key and digital certificate, and uses the built-in public key algorithm of the USB Key to authenticate the user's identity. Since the user's private key is stored in the password lock, it cannot be read theoretically by any means, thus ensuring the security of user authentication.

USB Key products were first proposed by encryption lock manufacturers. The original USB encryption locks were mainly used to prevent software from being cracked and copied, and to protect software from being pirated. The purpose of USB Key is different. USB Key is mainly used to protect software from being pirated. Used for network authentication, the lock mainly stores digital certificates and user private keys.

At present, ICBC’s USB Key product is “U Shield” and China Merchants Bank’s USB Key product is “Friend Key”. The main suppliers of both are G+D, a professional USB Key manufacturer.

Relatively speaking, USB Key is relatively safe, but USBKey is not absolutely safe and may be cracked