Mozilla releases BrowserID authentication system
18 July, 2011
category: Corporate, Digital ID
On the heels of the Firefox 5 release, Mozilla has introduced a new identity system called BrowserID that ties identity to an e-mail address for access to secure Web sites and services.
BrowserID functions through a variation of the Verified E-mail Protocol, which allows users to prove they own a specific e-mail address. Using that protocol, BrowserID creates an identity based on the e-mail address. All Web sites that accept the protocol then allow the BrowserID to access secure portions of the site without necessitating a separate user ID and password.
PC Magazine reports that the tool is compatible with all browsers and that the product offers streamlined access and privacy measures, while removing typical password-recovery questions that are easy targets for identity theft.
Currently, the only downside for the product is that only one Web site has adopted the protocol. Although Mozilla is actively trying to get developers to include BrowserID functionality on Web sites, it has a ways to go before declaring BrowserID a success.
Read more here.