What is WebAuthn? A deep dive into passwordless authentication

We’re sorry, passwords – you’re just not enough anymore

There was a time when passwords were our go-to for authentication. When they were made strong, they were reliable, tough to guess, and hard to crack. These days, however, with hackers using highly sophisticated phishing tactics and advanced password-cracking algorithms, passwords have been reduced to a weak link in our security practices. Sad but true.

And so, it’s time for us to explore better options for protecting our accounts and data. This means moving to a passwordless approach, which might sound a bit daunting but can actually make things more secure and user-friendly. Let us explain a bit more.

Limitations of password-based authentication

An average internet user has around 170 online accounts. Let's suppose you have fewer, say, 40 accounts. Even then, once you start using a strong, 16-character password for each and every one of those accounts, you'll quickly see it's not a convenient method of ensuring online protection. And the problem is, it's not so safe anymore, either.

According to Verizon’s 2023 Data Breach Investigations Report, stolen credentials are among the top three main methods of accessing organizations. This happens for a few reasons. First, many people reuse passwords across multiple accounts, so if one account is compromised, it can lead to others being at risk, too. Second, a lot of people use weak passwords that are easy to guess or crack. Third, cybercriminals trick users into revealing their login details through phishing. Additionally, many users don't use multi-factor authentication (MFA), which normally provides an extra layer of security when hackers get ahold of their login credentials.

With these security concerns in mind, some organizations have explored the possibility of getting rid of passwords altogether and replacing them with something better. This brings us to WebAuthn.

What is WebAuthn, exactly?

Developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) in collaboration with the FIDO Alliance, WebAuthn is a web standard for secure authentication based on public-key cryptography. In simpler terms, WebAuthn allows users to log in to websites without using passwords, instead relying on biometrics, security keys, or other authenticators like passkeys.

The main goal of WebAuthn is to provide a more secure alternative to passwords, creating a safer online environment and significantly reducing the risk of phishing and other cyberattacks. Importantly, WebAuthn is backed by major web browsers and platforms, so you get a seamless and secure experience no matter what device or service you're using.

So, how does WebAuthn work?

The process is pretty straightforward, and once you know the steps, you can easily visualize WebAuthn in action. Here's how it works in a nutshell:

1. Signing up: When you register for a service, the server sends a random value (also known as a “challenge”) to your device.

2. Creating keys: Your device uses this challenge to generate a pair of keys: a public key, which is sent to and stored on the server, and a private key, which remains safely on your device.

3. Logging in: Each time you log in, the server sends a new challenge. Your device encrypts this challenge with the private key, and the server verifies the encrypted data using the public key it has stored.

The whole idea is to keep your private key safe, even if the server gets hacked. This way, unauthorized parties can’t get access because the private key never leaves your device.

The benefits of WebAuthn

The WebAuthn standard is a real game-changer for everyone involved, though the benefits vary depending on whether you're an end-user or a business. So, let’s now break down what each side can potentially gain and dive into how WebAuthn can help both hit a home run.

End-users

The biggest benefit for users is how much easier and quicker logging in becomes. No more hassle with complex passwords – often, it’s just one click to get into your accounts. And you don’t have to stress about security, either. WebAuthn boosts your privacy by using advanced cryptography, making it nearly impossible for cybercriminals to get into your accounts. Plus, it seriously cuts down on the risk of password theft and phishing attacks.

Businesses

For businesses, WebAuthn is a way to fight off the growing threat of credential-based cyberattacks. By adopting this standard, organizations can enhance their security posture with minimal disruption, as WebAuthn integrates smoothly with existing systems and workflows. This transition also translates into cost savings and improved operational efficiency by reducing password-related support requests. Not to mention the fact that businesses that implement WebAuthn can elevate their reputation by being seen as security-conscious.

WebAuthn in practice – popular use cases

Thanks to organizations like the FIDO Alliance, WebAuthn is gaining traction across many different sectors. In e-commerce, it’s revolutionizing the way customers log in and pay, making transactions more secure and smoother. Banking institutions have started to use WebAuthn to safeguard online transactions and account access, adding a robust defense against unauthorized access. Social media sites are also jumping on board, using WebAuthn to fend off phishing attacks and streamline the login process for their users. There are many other industries where WebAuthn has made a significant impact, which is why it’s becoming a technology that might soon make passwords a relic of the past.

Challenges and limitations

This might sound a little bold, but there are no major challenges or limitations when dealing with WebAuthn. While there might be some obstacles, they can be easily addressed with common-sense actions or by using available tools. Let us explain.

First, for WebAuthn to work properly and provide the right level of security, biometric data must be handled with the utmost care, ensuring it is protected against unauthorized access and misuse. This is a straightforward practice and essential for maintaining user trust. Though some might find this a big challenge, it is manageable with current security protocols and best practices, making it more of a standard requirement than a hurdle.

Second, some might argue that reliance on biometric devices may not be universally available or convenient for all users. However, as biometric technology becomes more prevalent in our digital lives, this concern is diminishing. NordVPN's survey shows that more than 50% of Americans use biometrics daily, while other research indicates that over 80% of smartphones have biometric capabilities. So, we're on track to make it a global standard.

Third, some claim that implementing passwordless solutions can be complex for developers, requiring companies to make significant investments and extra effort. However, there are already tools available that simplify this process, enabling businesses to implement password-free logins based on passkeys with ease. One such tool is Authopia.

Introduce passwordless logins for your customers today

Dedicated to helping organizations make passwordless options part of their login experience, we’ve created a tool called Authopia that allows them to easily add a passkey widget to their website or service.

It's super simple to use: you just grab the pre-written code, have someone with basic IT knowledge implement it, register your product with Authopia, and voilà – you’ve got a passkey option available for your customers. It’s quick, efficient, and doesn’t require a big investment or the hiring of additional IT specialists. So, if you want to be ahead of the curve and enhance your login experience, consider giving Authopia a try.

If you need more info on going passwordless, check out our other materials, like the one where we compare passwords and passkeys to help you decide which is best.