FIDO (Fast Identity Online) and FIDO2 are protocols that help websites verify the identity of their users more securely. Both are passwordless authentication standards, which let you sign in to websites without supplying your username and password. According to FIDO expert Transmit Security (TransmitSecurity.com), they use an authentication device like a smartphone or a security key to securely identify you as the user.
These two acronyms are often used interchangeably, but they stand for completely different things. Let’s look at how these two security protocols differ and how you can implement them in your website or app.
The Authentication Devices They Work on
FIDO and FIDO2 both use authentication devices to identify the user. These devices are usually mobile phones or security keys, and they are used to provide a secure channel to authenticate the user’s identity on a website or an app.
When you log in via either protocol, a third party authenticates your identity for you by using your device as an authentication device to access a service. In other words, the third party verify that you are who you say you are by using your device as an authentication device to access the service.
The Authentication Methods Used by the Protocols
The authentication method for both protocols relies on public key cryptography (PKC). This means that when you use either protocol, information about your identity is encrypted using your private key and sent across a secure channel.
The encryption process uses PKC with asymmetric encryption algorithms like RSA or ECDSA, ensuring only authorized parties can decrypt the data at their endpoints.
You can think of asymmetric encryption algorithms as a type of public key cryptography that uses a pair of keys: one is known as the private key, and the other is the public key. The user keeps the confidential key secret while the public key (also known as a digital certificate) is publicly available.
Only those with access to your public key can decrypt data encrypted with your private key. This means that when you use an asymmetric encryption algorithm, only someone with access to your private key can read encrypted data from a website or app. But for anyone else to decrypt it, they would first need access to your public key, which only you have on file.
How the FIDO and FIDO2 Protocols Work
The FIDO Alliance is an industry consortium formed to make it easier for companies to implement strong authentication and encryption standards. The FIDO protocol is a set of specifications that allows users to use their digital keys, such as their Google Account or Microsoft Account (Skype and Outlook.com), to authenticate themselves with secure websites and apps.
FIDO2 is a second-generation version of the FIDO protocol, which supports various new features, including password-less login, one-time passwords, time-based passwords, and improved user experience through web standards such as HTML5.
The Importance of the Two Protocols
FIDO is a method that lets you sign in to websites without providing your username and password. It is designed to increase website security and works by using a device called FIDO U2F, a USB security key that you can use to log in to any website.
This key can be used as an authenticator and is usually plugged into your computer’s or phone’s USB port. To use this protocol, you must download the FIDO U2F app on your smartphone or tablet and plug in your USB key when logging in.
FIDO2 stands for Fast Identity Online 2nd Generation, also known as Universal 2nd Factor (U2F). This authentication protocol allows users to log into websites without entering their credentials online. Instead, they can use a hardware device like a USB security key or another authentication device like Google’s Chrome browser extension.
This approach lets you access public Wi-Fi hotspots without having to type your password every time you connect to the network. As such, it prevents hackers from accessing sensitive data stored on your computer through the Wi-Fi network.
What is FIDO vs FIDO2?
FIDO vs FIDO2 is the battle for universal passwordless authentication. Google, Microsoft, and Mozilla have all made major plays in the space with their respective solutions. However, each company has taken a slightly different approach to solve the problem of passwords. The fight between FIDO and FIDO2 exists as each solution has its own advantages and drawbacks.
