Linux authentication login with USB device - Linux Tutorials - Learn Linux Configuration

This article describes a method how to use a USB memory device as an authentication token to log in into a Linux system instead of traditional password. This can be accomplished by use of Pluggable Authentication Modules ( PAM ) and some sort of USB storage device such as USB memory stick of Mobile phone with SD card attached.


This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://linuxconfig.org/linux-authentication-login-with-usb-device

This is a nice tutorial. I wonder if this can be used to replace entering a password (or to add a 2FA to the password) in other circumstances. I have two cases in mind:

  • unlocking my password manager keepassxc
  • avoid entering password when issuing sudo commands

I look forward to getting your views on this