Facebook has added an extra layer of protection to the site by introducing support for security keys.

You can now authenticate your login information by tapping a piece of hardware that plugs into your computer’s USB drive. It clips to your keyring too, so you can carry it around with you everywhere.

A form of two-factor authentication, security keys are entirely optional, designed as an extra layer of protection for users, beyond the password.

Mark Zuckerberg’s signature look Show all 8 1 /8 Mark Zuckerberg’s signature look Mark Zuckerberg’s signature look Mark Zuckerberg told a Q&A audience he doesn't like spending on "frivolous" decision and that includes his attire Mark Zuckerberg’s signature look The Facebook founder is often seen wearing Adidas flip flops, a gray T-shirt and a hoodie Getty Images Mark Zuckerberg’s signature look That's Mark Zuckerberg wearing his signature gray shirt (again) Getty Images Mark Zuckerberg’s signature look ...And again Mark Zuckerberg’s signature look Zuckerberg showed up for Facebook's IPO wearing his favourite hoodie REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton Mark Zuckerberg’s signature look Zuckerberg pictured with his wife, Priscilla, wearing THAT hoodie EPA Mark Zuckerberg’s signature look Zuckerberg speaking at the TechCrunch Disrupt conference in San Francisco (in THAT hoodie again) Mark Zuckerberg’s signature look Mark Zuckerberg (centre) at the Facebook headquarters as he remotely rings the bell to open the Nasdaq Getty Images

Two-factor authentication typically involves the site or service you’re logging in to sending you a code via SMS, which you have to wait for and then enter.

A security key streamlines the process, as it’s quicker to plug a USB stick into your machine than it is to wait for a message and copy it, especially if you have patchy signal. It also cuts out any risk of a phishing attack.

If you do opt to use one, you can rest safely knowing that even if a hacker managed to steal your login details, they wouldn’t be able to access your account without the key.

Facebook has become the first major social network to support security keys, though they’re already available to Google, Dropbox and GitHub users.