FIDO, short for Fast Identity Online, is a standard that is revolutionizing the way we authenticate ourselves online. The aim of FIDO is to make passwords superfluous and at the same time increase security and user-friendliness. With FIDO, users can securely log in to websites and apps without having to enter or remember long passwords.
How does FIDO work?
FIDO is based on a principle called public-key cryptography. A key pair is used for this:
- A private key that remains securely stored on a user’s device (e.g. smartphone, laptop or FIDO security token).
- A public key that is shared with the website or service.
When the user logs in, the website requests a confirmation that is signed with the private key. This signature is verified with the public key. The special feature: The private key never leaves the device, which means that hackers cannot steal passwords from databases.
What makes FIDO safe?
- Phishing protection: Since no passwords are entered, they cannot be tapped by phishing attacks.
- Device-based security: The private key is permanently linked to a device and cannot simply be copied.
- Ease of use: By integrating technologies such as fingerprint scanners, facial recognition or PINs, FIDO makes the login experience not only more secure, but also easier.
Areas of application of FIDO
FIDO is already supported by many large companies and platforms such as Google, Microsoft and Apple. It is used in:
- Online banking and e-commerce
- Corporate IT and access controls
- Social media and cloud services
Conclusion
FIDO offers a promising solution to the weaknesses of traditional passwords. With its combination of security and ease of use, the FIDO standard could be the key to a passwordless future.
