We’ve been promised the end of password-based logins on the internet for a very long time, but now it seems that promise may finally be fulfilled. The FIDO Alliance, an industry group aimed at standardizing authentication methods online, announced that its passwordless sign-on method has received support from the big browser builders: Apple, Microsoft, and Google. That means that later this year you will be able to sign in to your various web accounts across the internet without using a password in all the major browsers.
What You Need to Know
Microsoft is currently supporting passwordless authentication to Office 365 resources through the use of their authenticator app available in the Apple and Google Play stores. The feature has been available since October of 2021. Passwordless authentication removes the need to remember long and complicated passwords for various websites. There are other ways to authenticate users like magic links, one-time passcodes, fingerprints, etc. All these mechanisms are much more secure and easier to manage compared to complicated passwords.
Benefits of Passwordless Authentication
- Enhanced Security
Since passwordless logins involve no use of passwords, it reduces the risks of phishing and credential spoofing. This also protects your users from man-in-the-middle and other replay attacks that rely on passwords. - Better User Experience
Passwordless login methods eliminates the need for end-users to remember and manage complicated passwords. - Reduced IT Management Costs
The operational costs of managing: a password reset and expiration processes, detecting breached passwords, implement secure password complexity policies, etc. are eliminated - Ease of Implementation
Passwordless authentication is easier to implement, and most passwordless login systems can be easily implemented in a mere 5-10 minutes.
