With cybercriminals using increasingly sophisticated phishing and brute-force attacks, there\u2019s a growing need for more robust authentication when logging into websites. While strong passwords and two-factor authentication (2FA) are widely used, biometric authentication offers even greater security while being more user-friendly. In this post, we examine how website owners can benefit from and implement biometric logins.<\/p>\n
Passwords are inherently insecure. According to the Institute of Engineering & Technology, 20% of people use the same password for multiple websites and devices, while half the population have passwords containing either a significant date or a pet\u2019s name . Cybercriminals armed with modern brute-force tools could crack these passwords in seconds and log in to all the accounts using the same credentials.<\/p>\n
While 2FA provides an extra layer of protection, it relies on codes sent by text message or created on authenticator apps. Not only do many users find 2FA annoying, but the codes can potentially be intercepted by criminals. For businesses and website owners, <\/a>reliance on passwords is increasingly risky. What is needed is a method of authentication that is more secure and user-friendly.<\/p>\n Make sure your site is fully protected. Read: Defending Your Website: A Security Checklist for Site Owners<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Biometric authentication is a secure login protocol that uses a person\u2019s unique physical characteristics to verify their identity. These include fingerprint scans, facial recognition, voice authentication and iris or retina scans.<\/p>\n Unlike passwords, these physical attributes can\u2019t be guessed, shared or phished, while they are often quicker to use than inputting a username, password and 2FA code. Moreover, as they are usually stored on the user\u2019s device, there is minimal risk of interception or theft from a centralised data <\/a>storage.<\/p>\n The latest technologies also use various techniques to prevent the use of AI cloned voices, photographs, face masks and videos being used to thwart biometric authentication.<\/p>\n There are two main ways that website owners can implement biometric logins. The first is using the WebAuthn API. While this approach meets modern standards in web security, it is technically challenging to implement and would require an experienced team member or developer to implement. Part of the FIDO2 framework and supported by major browsers and operating systems, using WebAuthn would enable website owners to:<\/p>\n For most website owners, an easier option would be to install a biometrics plugin or add-on. There are several of these now available in the WordPress Repository. The Secure Passkeys<\/a> plugin even uses WebAuthn technology to enable passwordless authentication, while AwareID\u2019s Identity Verification<\/a> plugin offers biometric enrolment and authentication for all users, <\/a>using advanced facial biometrics and document verification.<\/p>\n Run a WordPress website? Read: 10 Proven Ways to Strengthen WordPress Security<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Any area where a cybercriminal can use compromised passwords to cause damage is somewhere you should consider implementing biometrics. This includes:<\/p>\n As some users will not want to use biometrics and others may not have compatible devices, you should offer alternative login options, such as 2FA, as a failsafe.<\/p>\n In the UK, biometric data is regarded as \u2018special category data\u2019 under GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. This <\/a>means that if you store such data, you will need to put robust security in place and comply with stricter standards. However, if you use WebAuthn, biometric data is stored locally on users\u2019 devices and not collected.<\/p>\n In the future, biometric authentication is likely to become more widely used for keeping websites and apps secure, as well as for verifying hosting account logins. At present, however, most web hosting providers still rely on 2FA for defending their client portals. This is also true of most control panels, including cPanel and Plesk.<\/p>\n Other advances may include:<\/p>\n Using a free hosting service? Read: Free Web Hosting: Expensive Consequences and Hidden Security Risks<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Biometric authentication is a highly secure way to log in to accounts without needing to remember complex passwords or generate additional codes. Moreover, it uses unique personal identifiers, such as facial and fingerprint characteristics, that cybercriminals can\u2019t access, steal or guess. Using the WebAuthn API or plugins like Secure Passkeys, you can now integrate biometric authentication within your website, protecting admin access and user accounts from hackers.<\/p>\n Looking for secure hosting? At Webhosting UK, we protect your site using advanced firewalls, intrusion and malware prevention, free SSL certificates, spam filtering, password-protected directories and more. We also offer cloud-based backups and state-of-the-art tools, like Imunify360. For more information about our secure hosting solutions, visit our homepage<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" With cybercriminals using increasingly sophisticated phishing and brute-force attacks, there\u2019s a growing need for more robust authentication when logging into websites. While strong passwords and two-factor authentication (2FA) are widely…<\/p>\nWhat is biometric authentication?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
How to implement biometric logins<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Where to use biometric logins<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Security and privacy considerations<\/strong><\/h3>\n
The future of biometrics<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Conclusion<\/strong><\/h3>\n