Industry Giants Announce a Fix for the Password Mess
FIDO alliance declares the beginning of the end for old-style login authentication.
The FIDO (Fast IDentity Online) Alliance has announced the final drafts of its 1.0 specifications for next-generation authentication technology. The two specifications are the Universal Authentication Framework (UAF) and Universal 2nd Factor (U2F).
The FIDO Alliance is a consortium of high-tech and online banking companies that have combined forces to solve the problem of replacing the outdated hopelessly insecure username/password paradigm for network authentication. According to FIDO, passwords play a role in up to 76% of all security breaches. The goal of the alliance is to create a universal, open standard for two-factor authentication and other strong authentication techniques that will support interoperability among software systems and network services. Alliance members include Google, Microsoft, Lenovo, Samsung, BlackBerry, and ARM Holdings, as well as credit giants such as Bank of America, MasterCard, Discover Financial Services, and PayPal.
The new specifications provide a roadmap for developing and implementing strong authentication systems. FIDO members have agreed not to enforce any patents related to technologies used in the specifications. According to FIDO president Michael Barrett, “Today, we celebrate an achievement that will define the point at which the old world order of passwords and PINs started to wither and die.”
Issue 234/2020
Buy this issue as a PDF
News
-
System76 is Developing a New Keyboard
The company behind the incredibly powerful Thelio desktop is developing a new keyboard.
-
Zorin OS 15.2 Now Available
The latest release of Zorin OS offers numerous improvements.
-
Firefox to Get an Additional Sandbox Layer
Starting with Firefox 74, the open source web browser will include the new RLBox security feature.
-
Microsoft Defender ATP is Coming to Linux
Microsoft is ramping up its efforts to fight attackers across all platforms.
-
South Korean Government Considers Move to Linux Desktop
Seoul Mulls Migrating from Windows to Linux.
-
OpenSSH Now Supports FIDO/U2F Security Keys
SSH users can now add FIDO/U2F to the list of supported multi-factor authentication tools.
-
System76 Launches New AMD Threadripper Machine
System76 has added an AMD Threadripper option for their Thelio desktop lineup.
-
LibreOffice 6.4 Released
The unofficial office suite for the Linux platform has performance in mind for users.
-
Official Evernote Client Coming to Linux
The most widely-used note-taking app is coming to Linux.
-
Thanks to Linux, Google and Valve are Bringing Steam to Chromebooks
In yet another win for desktop Linux, Google and Steam are about to up the Chromebook gaming field.