Passwordless login is promoted as the future of user authentication, offering enhanced security and a better user experience as key reasons for its adoption.
In this article, you will discover what password-less authentication is and how the most prevalent password-less login methods operate. Additionally, it will discuss some limitations and challenges associated with password-less authentication.
What Is Passwordless Authentication?
Passwordless authentication refers to verifying a user’s identity without requiring a password. Traditional systems often ask for a username and password to grant access, but this approach is less secure and more cumbersome than modern alternatives.
Passwords frequently lead to cybersecurity problems because many people do not create or maintain strong ones. Common weak passwords such as “123456,” “qwerty,” and “password” consistently rank high in yearly lists of most-used passwords. Managing passwords also poses challenges for administrators, including handling reset requests, enforcing password policies, and educating users on security best practices.
Given these issues, passwordless authentication has gained popularity as a potential alternative. By eliminating passwords, it could offer a more secure and user-friendly approach.
The first thing to know is that “passwordless” doesn’t mean “not secure”; although this method cuts out passwords, it installs a more secure mechanism. There are several ways to implement a passwordless system, from magic links via email to using a companion app on the user’s phone. Major companies are committing to passwordless workflows, with Apple, Google, and Microsoft collaborating to improve cross-platform passwordless auth on the web.
Passwordless vs. Multi-Factor Authentication
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) are closely related concepts often discussed about passwordless authentication. Passwordless authentication alone does not implement or replace MFA; rather, an MFA system requires users to confirm their identity through multiple verification methods before gaining access.
Most password-based systems use the password as the initial factor and a unique code from a TOTP app as the second factor. This setup can lead to confusion because the second factor, a TOTP code, is a form of passwordless authentication. However, it isn’t entirely passwordless since a password was required as the first factor.
Combining passwordless authentication with MFA can enhance security. One way to implement such a system is as follows:
- Send a magic link to the user’s email address.
- The user clicks the link in the email, which is the first authentication factor.
- The link directs the user to input a TOTP code.
- By providing the correct code generated by a TOTP authentication app, the user verifies the second factor.
This setup requires the user to access two independent verification sources, neither of which depends on a password, creating a passwordless MFA system.
Implementing Passwordless Authentication
Implementing passwordless authentication involves more complexity compared to traditional password-based login flows. Verifying a password is typically a straightforward comparison of provided values, with the entire process completed in a single exchange between the client application and your server.
In contrast, passwordless authentication breaks down the login process into several steps. For instance, the common magic link method involves sending a unique URL to a user’s email inbox. You must generate the link, store it for later retrieval, and send the email. When the user accesses the link, you must extract the token, verify its validity, and begin the authenticated session.
Due to the multiple steps in passwordless authentication, thorough testing is crucial to avoid potential issues. Many teams simplify the process by using third-party identity and authorization platforms such as Auth0/Okta, Microsoft’s Azure AD, or Amazon’s AWS Cognito. These platforms handle identity management and user login functions, supporting multiple authentication methods seamlessly.
Regardless of the approach, you must choose which passwordless login methods to offer to your users. Here are some common options supported by major identity platforms:
- One-Time Passwords (OTP): These are valid passwordless authentication methods. They involve generating automatic passwords when the user logs in, either through SMS, email, or a TOTP code from an authenticator app. These passwords are valid for a limited time or a single login attempt.
- Magic Links: This is a popular passwordless authentication method used by services such as Slack. Users receive an email with a unique link after entering their username. Clicking the link completes the login without requiring a password. Although convenient, there may be a delay in receiving the email, and magic links are susceptible to bot attacks.
- Biometrics: Authentication using fingerprints or face detection is a convenient option, especially for mobile devices. It’s popular and easy to use, providing a high level of security. However, it may not be consistent across different devices due to hardware and platform variations.
- Push Notifications: This method verifies login attempts by sending push notifications to a dedicated companion mobile app. Tapping the notification logs the user into the client. Examples include Microsoft Authenticator and Google’s Android phone prompt. Push-based login requires integrating push support into your mobile app and ensuring users connect the app to their account.
While push notifications provide a secure option, users might be hesitant to install new apps, potentially hindering adoption. Push notifications work best when there is already a widely used mobile app or when administrators manage devices in an organization.
Passwordless Authentication Challenges
Passwordless authentication isn’t guaranteed to solve all your security issues. Effective implementation has a net positive impact on login protection but still carries trade-offs for security and user experience.
- End User Pushback
Pushback can occur when users are unfamiliar with the technologies being used. The problems with passwords aren’t widely recognized, so education about their limitations is important. Users are also likely to resist new alternatives that seem to be less convenient, so you must make passwordless flows as frictionless as possible.
- Security Issues
Security issues remain a concern, and you’ll need to devise procedures to address them. Take magic links as an example: if an attacker gains access to a user’s email inbox, they could authenticate to your service. You’ll need a way for your support staff to verify the actual user’s identity when they try to reclaim access to their account.
- Deployment Complexity and Cost
Both complexity and cost of deployment are usually higher than with a conventional password-based system. There are more steps to implement, test, and maintain. A third-party platform can help, but this will add costs and a new learning curve.
What about the Benefits of Passwordless Authentication?
Implementing passwordless auth brings new benefits for your users and system operators. From stronger security to enhanced ease of use, below are some reasons passwordless is gaining momentum.
- Stronger Security Posture
The main objective of passwordless is to increase security. Removing passwords protects your service and its users from the dangers of weak and reused passwords. You’re less susceptible to phishing attacks and don’t need users to protect themselves, allowing you to analyze your security posture accurately.
- Improved End User Experience
A robust passwordless authentication implementation streamlines the login process by allowing users to choose the method that suits them best. Many users find remembering passwords challenging, so providing options like links or codes sent to their email can be a helpful change.
However, it’s essential to recognize that different users have different preferences and needs. For instance, users who move quickly may find it frustrating to switch context by checking their email inbox. Offering an alternative method, such as biometrics, can improve the experience for such users.
Incorporating multiple passwordless options—like email-based methods, biometrics, or push notifications—provides flexibility and accommodates varying user preferences, enhancing both user satisfaction and security.
- Less Work for Admins (after Initial Deployment)
Passwordless flows present fewer day-to-day operational challenges. Users won’t be requesting password resets, and you don’t need to manage complexity requirements or regular rotations, freeing up administrators to focus on other aspects of the service.
- No Centralized Password Store
The absence of a central database of passwords can make your service a less appealing target for attackers. Passwordless auth requires the attacker to access something that belongs to a target user—such as their email inbox or device—before they can log in to an account.
Conclusion
Passwordless authentication confirms user identities without using traditional password inputs. This can be achieved through one-time passwords, magic links, or biometric methods like fingerprints and facial recognition. Utilizing several of these factors for each login creates a passwordless multi-factor authentication (MFA) system.
Passwordless methods enhance security by eliminating weak passwords and automating the login process, which also lowers administrative overheads. Although the initial development cost is higher, the benefits of greater security and fewer user errors make passwordless authentication a promising current and future approach. Big tech companies are actively promoting the adoption of passwordless methods.
Passwordless authentication should be seen alongside other user-protection measures such as account takeover safeguards and anti-fraud detection. Utilizing accurate device fingerprinting solutions like Fingerprint can help identify malicious logins and protect users when attackers manage to bypass initial defenses.