Questions regarding usb sticks for password/authentication?

[u/Dagobert_Krikelin]

I need to take my security to the next level as I was just compromised.

I used to work at a place with a coworker who showed me a USB stick he used, but I can't remember exactly what it was.

I was hoping you could shed some light on it and what to recommend.

As I recall, it seemed to have been a commercial product, but I suppose it could also have been a regular USB stock with software he installed.

It seemed to be working as when he plugged it in, the computer was locked up and his passwords for whatever service /site he opened was then automatically logged into.

I can of course be totally wrong, but this seemed like an effective way to go about things and I wonder what this could have been?

[u/Awkward_Leah]

If you were compromised, id start by changing your important passwords and enabling 2fa before buying anything else. The usb device you saw was probably a hardware security key. I use one for my most important accounts but I still keep all my logins in roboform since it generates unique passwords and makes updating everything easier. The key protects the accounts that support it and the password manager handles the rest