One of the most important aspects of website authentication is the focus on the user and human-to-computer interactions. As a result, user authentication is crucial to understand when creating or improving your website’s login procedure. Whether you’re looking to amp up your internal security, increase customer acquisition, or simply provide a better user experience for individuals exploring your site, it’s important to know how user authentication fits into the equation.   That’s why we’ve created this guide. This way, organizations can understand: What user authentication is How user authentication works The importance of user authentication Top user authentication methods How to improve user authentication With a better understanding, your organization can look into more efficient registration and login processes that go past traditional offerings. Additionally, when you gain a full picture of the different types of user authentication, you’ll see that passwords aren’t the only option for your website and learn more about top passwordless alternatives. Let’s dive right into the first section. 1. What user authentication is User authentication is a security process that covers all of the human-to-computer interactions that require the user to register and log in. Said more simply, authentication asks each user, “who are you?” and verifies their response. When a user registers for an account, they must create a unique ID and key that will allow them to access their account later on. Generally, a username and password are used as the ID and key, but the credentials can include other forms of keys as well (see our section on types of user authentication). Essentially, the user authentication process is what provides users repeat access to their own accounts while attempting to block any unauthenticated users from gaining access. This means that User A can log in to their own account, while User B would be denied access. Conversely, User B could access their own account, while User A would be unable to. 2. How user authentication works In order to gain access, users must prove to the website that they are who they say they are. The ID and key are enough to confirm the user’s identity, which will allow the system to authorize the user. It’s important to note that authorization, on the other hand, is what dictates what users are able to see and do when they log in. While authorization and authentication are often used interchangeably, the two different terms work together to create a secure login process. To put it simply, user authentication has three tasks: Manage the connection between the human (user) and the website’s server (computer). Verify users’ identities. Approve (or decline) the authentication so the system can move to authorizing the user. The process is fairly simple; users input their credentials on the website’s login form. That information is then sent to the authentication server where the information is compared with all the user credentials on file. When a match is found, the system will authenticate users and grant them access to their accounts. If a match isn’t found, users will be prompted to re-enter their credentials and try again. After several unsuccessful attempts, the account may be flagged for suspicious activity or require alternative authentication methods such as a password reset or a one time password. 3. The importance of user authentication Understanding user authentication is crucial because it’s a key step in the process that keeps unauthorized users from gaining access to sensitive information. A strengthened authentication process ensures that User A only has access to the information they need and can’t see the sensitive information of User B. When your user authentication isn’t secure, however, cybercriminals can hack the system and gain access, taking whatever information the user is authorized to access.  Websites like Yahoo, Equifax, and Adobe have fallen victim to data breaches in the past and are prime examples of what happens when organizations fail to secure their websites. Use these companies as a warning to demonstrate the negative consequences of insecure user authentication processes. Not only were these scenarios costly to the organizations involved, but it also led to damaged reputations and decreased user trust. That’s why it’s so important that your organization is not the next on that list of victims. In order to prevent such a situation, it’s a good idea to invest in high-quality authentication tools to help you secure your website and protect it from potential breaches. 4. Top user authentication methods In order for a user to confirm their identity, the individual must provide a piece of information that only the user and the server knows. This information is called an authentication factor, and there are three types: Knowledge factors. Factors the user must know in order to log in are considered a knowledge factor. This can be anything from a username, password, or pin number. The challenge with these factors is that they can be weak in terms of security because they can be shared or guessed. Possession factors. Anything that the user must have in order to log in is known as a possession factor. One-time password tokens such as a Magic Link™, key fobs, ID cards, and physical tokens are all considered possession factors. Inheritance factors. Using a person’s biological characteristics is known as an inheritance factor. Any biometric authentication process, such as fingerprint scanning and facial recognition, would fall into this category. Even within each of these types of authentication factors, there are several different methods involved. To simplify things, the way users can verify their identity can be divided into two categories: password-based and passwordless options. Let’s take a closer look at each. Password-Based User Authentication Methods Most users are familiar with passwords. In fact, passwords have been the tried-and-true method for user authentication since the beginning of the internet. You probably have quite a few passwords yourself! A password-based user authentication process generally looks like this: When you land on the page, you’ll be asked to enter your username and password. Your credentials are sent to the website’s server

Did you know that the average user has around 90 online accounts to manage? There are many different ways an individual can gain access to an account, but not all authentication methods were made equal. While password-based login systems are the most popular choice, they’re far from the best. Here at Swoop, we think traditional login tools are huge liabilities for websites— both because they’re insecure and provide a terrible user experience. That’s why we’ve developed a more secure, token-based authentication service that can reduce the reliance on weak password systems. Take control of your login process and provide a better experience for your users! If you’re a web developer or system designer, you’ll need to implement some token-based authentication into your site. Modern users have come to expect the more streamlined experience that tokens provide. Plus, they offer a level of security that simpler systems just can’t beat. That’s why we’ve put together this helpful guide to token-based authentication. We’ll walk through some of the most common questions about this process and how it can improve your site: What is a token? What is token-based authentication? Why is token-based authentication better than a password? What are the different types of token-based authentication? How do I get started with token-based authentication? Token-based authentication methods can dramatically improve online usability and security by providing a more streamlined and highly secure process. As a developer yourself, it’s your responsibility to provide users with the best and most secure experience possible. Use the list above to jump straight to what you need, or read along from the top. Let’s get started. 1. What is a token? A token is a highly secure format used to transmit sensitive information between two parties in a compact and self-contained manner. Tokens are often used to strengthen authentication processes, whether that be within a website or application. A typical token consists of three key elements: A header that defines the type of token and algorithm used. A payload that contains information about the user and other metadata. A signature that verifies the identity of the sender and the authenticity of the message. When sensitive data is transmitted via token, users can rest assured knowing their private information is treated as such. This is crucial for any sort of payment information, medical data, or login credentials. 2. What is token-based authentication? Token-based authentication is a web authentication protocol that allows users to verify their identity a single time and receive a uniquely-generated encrypted token in exchange. For a designated period time, this token is how users access protected pages or resources instead of having to re-enter their login credentials. Here’s how the token-based authentication process works: The token proves you’ve been allowed in and allows you to view other resources and make further requests. This is an improvement from traditional processes that require users to verify their identities at every step. This enables the website to add more layers of security without forcing you to prove you are who you are time and time again. Thus, the process works to improve user experience and security simultaneously. 3. Why is token-based authentication better than password logins? Traditional passwords have one huge weakness: they’re human-generated. Human-made passwords tend to be pretty weak and easy to crack. We’ve all reused old passwords again and again because they’re easy to remember. Not only that, but a password-based login system requires users to continuously enter and re-enter their credentials, essentially wasting valuable time. The traditional password-based login process looks something like this: The user arrives at the target domain. They enter their login credentials. The server verifies the match and lets them in. The user is authenticated to access that domain. For steps 5-8, users need to repeat the entire process in order to access anything hosted on a different server, domain, or subdomain. Common examples include viewing or editing account details and beginning an eCommerce checkout. So what’s wrong with this process? A few things. For one, it’s unintuitive and wastes the user’s time. Who wants to enter their credentials over and over again in order to complete multiple tasks? Every user has better things to do than waste their time on a repetitive and unnecessary process. Plus, the login system above is likely already vulnerable because the password is weak to begin with! In this simple authentication setup, each login step is a weak link that’s open to attack. So how does token-based authentication offer new solutions? Token-based authentication is more secure. Token-based authentication, on the other hand, uses ultra-secure codes to prove that you’ve already been authenticated. They’re specific to the user, the particular log-in session, and the security algorithm that the system uses. In other words, the server can identify when a token’s been tampered with at any step and can block access. Tokens essentially act as an extra layer of security and serve as a temporary stand-in for the user’s password. Most importantly, tokens are machine-generated. Encrypted, machine-generated code is significantly more secure than any password you might create yourself. For example, our tools here at Swoop create digital tokens with 2,048-bit encryption that would take even the best hackers billions of years to crack. Token-based authentication offers a streamlined process. Rather than having to re-verify your identity every time you arrive at a new page, tokens are temporarily stored in the browser, providing you access to information on the domain for a specified time period. This allows you to jump from server to server or subdomain to subdomain without constantly being slowed by the authentication process. For users, this allows you to easily navigate a website and efficiently find the resources you’re looking for. For developers, it keeps individuals on your site for longer by decreasing the risk that users become aggravated and click out. When the user is finished with their browsing session, they simply have to log out and the stored token is destroyed forever. This way, users don’t risk leaving their accounts open

With online security becoming a popular topic, the importance of implementing secure authentication methods on websites is more crucial than ever. By ensuring that your users’ information stays safely behind your website barriers is about more than just maintaining your users’ trust. Without the right security measures in place, your users’ accounts could be easily compromised. As a result, sensitive information on users’ credit cards, contact information, and so much more could be in the hands of cybercriminals. While many organizations aren’t quite comfortable with the idea of removing passwords entirely, there are additional measures they can use to ensure that cybercriminals can’t access users’ private information. One solution? Two-factor authentication.  You’ve probably heard this term mentioned when the question of password security is brought up, but what is two-factor authentication and how can it make your users’ accounts more secure? You’re in luck! We’ll cover these questions and more in this in-depth look at two-factor authentication. Feel free to read our entire guide, or jump down to the following questions you need answered:  What is two-factor authentication? How does two-factor authentication work? Why should websites use two-factor authentication? What types of two-factor authentication can websites implement? How can organizations find a two-factor authentication vendor? Before you get started, brush up on how website authentication normally works with our complete guide! Keep reading to learn the ins and outs of two-factor authentication. 1. What is two-factor authentication? Simply put, two-factor authentication, otherwise known as two-factor verification or 2FA, is an additional step in the login process that requires users to present a piece of information that only the user should have. This “piece of information” can be anything from a one-time passcode to a physical token (for more types, jump to section four) that acts as a second confirmation to verify users are who they say they are. Essentially, a true form of two-factor authentication requires the user to have: A password and username (what they know) A passcode that was sent to their mobile phone, email, or authenticator app (what they have) In the standard login process, a user can access their account by entering a username and password—no additional steps required. However, in two-factor authentication, the user has to complete the second confirmation step.  Two-factor authentication has been around for some time, and you’ve probably used a version of this authentication method to log into an email or bank account or make a credit card purchase. Two-factor verification vs. security questions While two-factor authentication does require two steps, it shouldn’t be mistaken for security questions or other prompts (like completing a math problem). Security questions have a similar purpose, but are, ultimately, less secure than two-factor authentication because they’re “what you know” factors. By doing a little online digging, a hacker can easily guess the correct answer to your security question, whereas obtaining your phone would be much more difficult.  Additionally, the other prompts that users are asked to complete are usually there to ensure that the login request was made by a human. To sum it up: Two-factor authentication is an additional step users must take after entering in their credentials. To be considered a true form of two-factor verification, the second step must require the user to have something like a passcode retrieved from their mobile device or email account.   2. How does two-factor authentication work? Depending on your website’s specific needs, you may decide that you want to implement two-factor authentication as a required step for every login attempt or just for attempts that have been flagged by your system. For instance, many bank accounts only require users to complete a two-factor step if they’re logging on from an unrecognized device. Keep in mind: while two-factor authentication does offer an additional layer of security, in most cases, it also requires the user to complete another step, which can make the login process more time-consuming.  Once you’ve implemented two-factor authentication, here’s how the process would look using your cell phone: You land on the website’s login screen and enter your username and password to request access to your account. If you’ve only enabled two-factor authentication to activate if the request has been flagged, the system will determine if you need to complete the additional verification step to ensure you’re not a hacker. A code will be sent via text message to the phone number you provided when you created the account. During this time, you’ll be directed to a second login screen prompting you to enter the code. Once you’ve entered your passcode, the system will verify that the code you enter is the same as the one that was sent to you. If there’s a match, you’ll be able to access your account. Another key factor to note: websites can’t just set up two-factor authentication without some participation from the user. Let’s go back to the phone example. If the user hadn’t included a phone number when he or she signed up the account, the process wouldn’t work. To sum it up: Two-factor authentication is something that must be authorized by users before it can be implemented and requires two credentials to access their accounts. 3. Why should websites use two-factor authentication? Adds another layer of security to insecure passwords It seems we can’t go a day without news of a new password breach, and with more and more accounts becoming compromised, it goes without saying that passwords aren’t secure. Even if every person used strong passwords, our accounts could still be easily cracked using brute-force attacks and cracking technology. Whats more? Most users don’t create strong passwords. In fact, nearly every account created can be accessed using a password from a list of 10,000 most commonly used credentials.  Despite their vulnerability, passwords are used on countless websites to authenticate users. As a result, two-factor authentication is a way to add an additional security measure. Even if an authorized user obtains your account credentials, you’re protected because the hacker will need access to the second verification

At Swoop, we make two-factor authentication simple. It shouldn’t be a hassle for your users to be safe, and it shouldn’t be expensive or complicated for you to keep them safe. We’ve already walked through the big picture of two-factor in this quick guide – why it’s important, the benefits it has, and different types of solutions. But if you’re not sure exactly how the two-factor process works, you probably want a deeper understanding of it before installing a new tool on your site. Here’s how the two-factor authentication process works and different examples of two-factor in action. How does two-factor authentication work? Here’s a simple way of explaining the two-factor process: asking users to both know something and have something before they’re allowed in or authenticated to use your site. Sometimes sites also require that you be something, usually meaning you’ll use your fingerprint to unlock something. The idea is that whatever factors the site asks you for will match what the site’s server has on record for you as a user. Here’s how the process breaks down step-by-step: The user is prompted by the site or app to log in. The user enters what they know. This is usually a traditional username and password combo. The site’s server finds a match and recognizes the user. For processes with passwordless login options, the site generates a unique security key for the user. The key gets processed by Swoop and validated by the site’s server. Learn more about this process here. Next, the site prompts the user to initiate the second step to log in. This step can take a few different forms, but the idea is to prove that you have something only you would have, like your cellphone. The user then enters a one-time code that was generated for them during Step 4. After going through both factors, the user is authenticated and granted access to the website or app. Why should you care about two-factor? A couple of reasons: First, if you run an online business and don’t take steps to secure your users’ data (beyond a basic password system), you’re putting your customers at risk. There’s really no excuse these days for poor security, with so many tools available and so much at risk. Next, single-factor login is not secure at all. Passwords alone are not strong enough to protect a site. Just think about how many times you’ve reused an old password to make it easier to remember. The internet is full of these human-made weaknesses that are so easy for hackers to tap into. In fact, a Verizon cybersecurity study has found that 81% of all hacking activities start via stolen or weak passwords. Finally, traditional authentication methods suck for users. Password-based systems ruin the UX value of your site, driving away visitors and new customers. Two-factor authentication is a great way to incorporate new tools and innovations into your site’s login process, like Swoop. Just make sure your new two-factor tools don’t end making the login process even slower or more complicated! The bottom line: Any site or app that handles sensitive information has to protect its users. If you rely on your site to convert new customers, an old fashioned login system is even more of a liability. Two-Factor Authentication Examples Let’s walk through three of the main forms of two-factor authentication: passwordless, SMS-based, and app-based. Passwordless Two-Factor Authentication from Swoop You know: your Swoop PIN You have: an email address Swoop is a powerful authentication tool that can completely eliminate passwords on your site. Using ultra-secure email-based authentication techniques, Swoop is basically like generating a brand new password every time you log in and then immediately destroying it once you’re done. The main idea is that Swoop can be implemented into any combination of authentication factors. You can create your own passwordless two-factor authentication method for your site or app while seriously improving security and UX. Swoop users have reported the only hard part of installing it is figuring out how to remove the old two-factor solution that wasn’t cutting it.   What’s the best combination of factors for your two-factor authentication system? A Swoop login button + a PIN. Simple, secure, and fast as hell. Plus, it’s extremely cost-effective for small businesses, just a penny a login. SMS-Based Two-Factor Authentication You know: your username and password You have: the special one-time code texted to your phone This example of two-factor authentication is currently the most common method on the internet. A user enters their password and is then prompted to request a code be texted to the phone number that the site already has on record for their account. Once they enter that code, they’re granted access. SMS-based two-factor is used by all kinds of sites and services. A typical example might be banks and financial services that let customers manage their finances online. This two-factor authentication method can also be useful when adapted in other ways. For instance, a one-time SMS code can be used to re-verify your identity if you forget which password you need for a site. Drawbacks of this two-factor authentication example: It can become extremely expensive for online businesses to use, especially for small businesses. Authenticator services typically charge around $.75 per text message. Let’s say you get around 5,000 logins a month. That’s a $3,750 bill for your small business to pay. Phones are much less secure than they used to be. Smartphones and phone numbers can easily be hacked or stolen. This would grant a thief access to all your accounts if your phone automatically remembers and fills those passwords. Requiring a user to use multiple devices or switch applications is bad UX design. This method isn’t the very worst for UX, but it’s still never a good idea to slow down users trying to interact with your site. App-Based Two-Factor Authentication You know: your username and password You have: access to an authenticator app on your smartphone This example of two-factor authentication

Two-factor authentication solutions have so much promise for truly securing the internet experience, yet they’ve been slow to be adopted. This article tells you the whole story of two-factor, and it’ll show you all of the options available plus the best ones to use so your customers will be happy. Two-factor authentication solutions are much safer than any single-factor login methods. A Verizon cybersecurity study has found that 81% of all hacking activities start via stolen or weak passwords. That’s huge! Two-factor is an essential way to strengthen the login process. So why hasn’t it completely dominated the internet yet? Why doesn’t every site and app require two-factor authentication? Because current two-factor authentication solutions are a pain. They’re annoying and intrusive. They drive away users and make the login experience terrible. Good luck growing your user base when it’s a hassle just to log into your site! The internet is an enormous place, so why would anyone bother? Think of it this way: No one likes having to remember a password, let alone remember their password and then deal with an extra step after typing it in. No one really wants to share their personal phone number with some random website, even for security purposes. Common two-factor solutions can get really expensive for sites to use. $.75 per text message adds up fast! It’s clear now that users are only really willing to jump through hoops when they have something important at stake, like managing their finances with an online bank portal. Swoop’s login tool is the only option available today that’s convenient, cost-effective, and ultra-secure, but you’re going to need some additional context before making any decisions. Let’s walk through some common questions and things to consider: What are two-factor authentication solutions? What’s the purpose of two-factor authentication? What are the benefits of two-factor authentication solutions? Let’s get started improving your website or application. What are two-factor authentication solutions? To start off, let’s cover a basic definition of two-factor authentication: A website authentication method that requires you to provide at least two out of three validating elements: Something you have, like a smartphone Something you know, like a password Something you are, like your fingerprint Any combination of these elements creates a two-factor authentication solution, although some combinations are definitely more common than others. There are three main types of two-factor authentication solutions, some of which you’ve probably encountered before. 1. Mobile phone-based two-factor authentication solutions What you have: Access to your mobile phone. What you know: Your login credentials, email and password. This method requires users to enter their password and then request a one-time security code be texted to their mobile phone. When they enter that code, they’re fully authenticated. This two-factor authentication solution is common and fast, but it’s expensive for sites to use and increasingly not recommended by security experts. 2. Two-factor authenticator apps What you have: Access to your account on a mobile authenticator app. What you know: Your login credentials, email and password. With this two-factor authentication solution, your website or app partners with a third-party authenticator service. Your users will need to have an account with that service and download their mobile app, which will generate one-time security codes when requested. This clunky solution makes it harder to log in than it makes it secure. 3. Email-based security keys – Swoop What you have: Access to your email account. What you know: Your email address. Swoop is a passwordless, email-based authentication solution. It’s the most efficient and secure two-factor authentication solution available because it’s secure, cost-effective, and easy to use. When implemented into a two-factor system, Swoop uses token-based techniques to essentially create a brand new ultra-secure password every time a user logs in. Then, the codes are processed automatically. No need to bother the user with manual entry tasks that slow everything down. Explore our how it works page to learn more about the process. Swoop fits into any possible combination of security factors to offer a more seamless user experience. But the best combination of factors has to be the magic login button + a Swoop PIN. It’s a game-changing way to authenticate users in a secure two-step process without asking them to lift a finger. Explore our next guide on how two-factor authentication works for more details on each type listed above. Plus, we’ll cover extra examples of how Swoop login buttons and PINs can completely change how you handle login. What’s the purpose of two-factor authentication? Now, we’ll walk through the purpose and logic behind two-factor authentication solutions. Traditional, single-factor systems (like a basic username/password combo) are very weak. They’re probably the worst way to protect anything online these days. This is due to a few reasons: A single layer of protection is always a weak option. Hacking techniques have become extremely advanced over the years, and basic login tech hasn’t kept up well. Huge data breaches consistently lose tons of passwords to hackers. Forcing users to create passwords leads to weaker passwords, as users will re-use old ones for convenience. You probably use just a handful of different passwords (or maybe even just one!) for multiple different online accounts, right? Chronic, human-made weaknesses like these are all over the internet. There’s no reason it has to be that way. Two-factor authentication solutions address this major security weakness. The main idea is, of course, to add an extra layer of security to the login process. Plus, when combined with SSO methods and/or token-based authentication tools, two-factor processes are extremely effective. They secure the user’s data and improve the user experience by reducing the need for them to continually log back in. Removing traditional password-based login methods, in particular, is a great way to improve the user experience and grow your business. Imagine a store that forced you to recite a secret code every time you wanted to come in and look around. Sure, it makes it less likely that anything will get stolen. It also drives away

Whether you operate a business or nonprofit organization, it’s likely that your staff manages several accounts. From your HR portal to your user (or donor) database, your employees have multiple accounts they need to access on a daily basis. While these accounts are essential to your work, they can present several challenges. First logging into every account takes away valuable work time. More importantly, when employees have too many accounts to manage, they often fall back on poor password habits, which can drastically decrease the security of your accounts.  As a result of these concerns, many organizations are turning to single sign-on solutions to make the login process easy and secure. We’ve talked about single sign-on (SSO) authentication in more depth before, but essentially it allows users to sign in once and have access to all their accounts. With a single password to worry about, your staff can create strong credentials for all their accounts without fearing that they’ll forget it later. So let’s talk more about the best single sign-on solutions: Swoop EmpowerID Apps Associates Bitium AuthAnvil by Kaseya Imprivata Avatier ILANTUS Let’s jump into the first single sign-on solution! 1. Swoop Single Sign-On Solution Overview Swoop offers several easy login products for nonprofits and businesses, including our two-click donate, buy, signup, and login buttons. Any account that uses our security technology allows users to sign in with an email account.  Here’s how the process works: Users click the login button, which triggers a mailto link. Users will be directed to a pre-written email with details on their login request and instructions on their next steps. When users hit “send,” our system runs the message through three levels of security checks to determine if the request came from the user. If the requests pass our security checks, users will be able to access their account. The entire process only takes a couple of seconds and only requires two clicks from the user. Why Swoop Made Our List of Top Single Sign-On Solutions Our technology takes the single sign-on approach differently, by eliminating the need for a password entirely. The truth is password authentication is obsolete. Passwords don’t do a great job verifying our identities because anyone with the password is approved. And since passwords can be easily cracked with the help of software, keeping our password secret is harder than ever. Plus, the same level of security checks is implemented throughout all of our products — whether you’re using the sign in, log in, donate, or buy button. Single Sign-On Solution Pricing Organizations and businesses can start using Swoop’s login technology for free. 2. EmpowerID Single Sign-On Solution Overview EmpowerID is an identity management solution that offers a single sign-on dashboard. With this dashboard, companies are able to assign employees one account. When a user signs in, they’ll have access to all of the applications no matter what device they’re using.  With an EmpowerID account, users are able to: Claim accounts Register new accounts with a click-to-authenticate process Update credentials and so much more EmpowerID’s tools can be used on any platform that uses a variety of authentication methods. Why EmpowerID Made Our List of Top Single Sign-On Solutions EmpowerID offers a password vaulting feature, which provides users with a secure way to login to accounts that don’t support their single sign-on protocol. EmpowerID will store the passwords in their protected system and automatically populate the username and password when you land on the login page. EmpowerID also offers a host of other identity management products like role management and optimization, password management, and user provisioning to companies in the healthcare, banking and finance, and nonprofit industries.  Single Sign-On Solution Pricing For more information on EmpowerID pricing request a demo on their website. 3. Apps Associates Single Sign-On Solution Overview Founded in 2002, Apps Associates is a technology services company that provides cloud, analytics, and integration solutions for businesses currently using Oracle E-Business Suite. The team at Apps Associates works to streamline a business’ processes, and one of the ways they achieve this is through their single sign-on solution. Apps Associates understands that the burden of account and password management often falls on a business’ IT department, so they have created a solution that allows employees to enter one username and password to access all of their accounts.  Why Apps Associates Made Our List of Top Single Sign-On Solutions Apps Associates ensures that once you’ve implemented their single sign-on solutions, the software will help you: Make accessing applications simple and convenient. Reduce the need for password resets. Increase your account security. This tech company is also certified in Oracle cloud applications and has a deep understanding of Salesforce and NetSuite, so you can rest assured knowing your custom integrations will work smoothly and securely! Single Sign-On Solution Pricing Visit the Apps Associates website to request a quote on their single sign-on solution pricing. 4. Bitium Single Sign-On Solution Overview Bitium is a technology company that helps businesses connect their cloud-based applications so that a business’ tools can all work together to simplify processes. One way they help businesses succeed is through their single sign-on solution that allows businesses to federate employee identity across all cloud- and web-based platforms.  Once a user logs into Bitium’s dashboard they have access to all the accounts they need no matter what device they’re using. Why Bitium Made Our List of Top Single Sign-On Solutions Bitium has a catalog of over a thousand applications that users can connect through their single sign-on dashboard. With such a wide range of platforms, such as Dropbox, Google Apps, Salesforce, and more, users are able to connect all the accounts they need into one easy login.  Single Sign-On Solution Pricing Small businesses can start using their single sign-on system for $3 per user per month. If businesses want access to Bitium’s other security tools like application and credential management the price ranges from $5-$8 per user per month. 5. AuthAnvil by Kaseya Single Sign-On Solution Overview Kaseya

Single sign-on authentication (or SSO authentication) has overthrown the traditional login process and completely changed the way people use the web. Not sure what SSO authentication is? Not sure why should you care? If you want users on your websites, interacting with your app, or signing up as customers, you can’t afford to stay in the dark any longer and jeopardize your potential success. Running websites, developing apps, or creating an online business requires user authentication. Simply put, you have to know who’s using your site. Authentication is how you identify and track users, which is essential for both logistical and security reasons. The only problem? Authenticating your site’s users means forcing them to log in with their email and a password which is one of the worst experiences known to man. Forcing users to remember a password is like a dentist’s visit, tax season, and a flat tire all rolled into one. At Swoop, it’s no secret that we hate passwords with a passion as hot as the surface of the sun. Ok, maybe we’re being a little dramatic, but we care a lot about this topic. We created an ultra-secure passwordless login tool because we believe the internet has outgrown them. Passwords slow us down, are much more vulnerable than most people think, and provide a terrible experience that users despise. That’s also why we love SSO authentication. It reduces our reliance on passwords, makes the internet more secure, and simplifies an inconvenient, time-consuming process. Maybe you’re a developer, online entrepreneur, or just curious about SSO authentication. You’ve probably got some questions, so let’s get to the answers. We’ll walk through these core topics: What is SSO authentication? How does it work? Is it secure? What are the types of SSO authentication? Use the links above to jump ahead, or follow along from the top. So what is SSO authentication? SSO authentication allows users to log in once to access multiple applications, services, and accounts, even across different domains. One example of SSO authentication that you probably use every day would be Google’s suite of online applications. Log into one and you’ve logged into all of them. Pretty easy right? No need to re-enter your password every time you bounce between your Gmail inbox and Google Drive, for instance. This offers major benefits for both users and website administrators. First of all, SSO eliminates the need to manually log into each separate application. This is a massive improvement to the user experience and encourages users to stay engaged with your website or apps. In addition to reducing the need for multiple login steps, SSO authentication also means: Improved internal security for your site. With a centralized SSO system, it’s a lot easier to monitor user accounts across multiple applications. Plus, since new users only need to create one password, it reduces the number of passwords you’re responsible for protecting. Increased collaboration and efficiency. Large companies, universities, and government offices develop their own SSO solutions for this reason. For a more common example, think of how it easy it is to share Google Docs and spreadsheets with your Gmail contacts. How does SSO authentication work? Here’s the SSO process boiled down to four steps: The user arrives on the website or app they want to use. The site sends the user to a central SSO login tool, and the user enters their credentials. The SSO domain authenticates the credentials, validates the user, and generates a token. The user is sent back to the original site, and the embedded token acts as proof that they’ve been authenticated. This grants them access to associated apps and sites that share the central SSO domain. Here’s another, slightly more complex, way you might visualize this process: I know this graphic looks a bit complicated but stay with me here! Each step in the process is represented by a numbered line above and corresponds to the step below. The user visits the target domain. They’re redirected to the SSO domain. The user signs in with their credentials and the SSO domain finds a match. The SSO tool requests an encrypted token from the authentication server. The user is redirected back to the target domain. The encrypted proves that they’ve been authenticated. The user can now freely access associated domains, too. Token-based authentication is another important login concept (learn more here). SSO systems essentially rely on these tokens to “remember” that a user has already been allowed access to all of the apps associated with that central SSO hub. Not too bad right? And with Swoop’s ground-breaking tech, it’s even easier than ever to get started with SSO authentication. Learn more about Swoop here. Is SSO authentication secure? The short answer is yes — SSO systems are very secure when implemented properly and used alongside other modern cybersecurity tools. Here’s the longer answer. SSO authentication systems can boost the overall security of the internet for two main reasons: They reduce the number of weak passwords that people create and use all over the internet. They create more centralized systems that are easier for administrators to manage and protect. However, there’s also some risk in centralizing multiple processes into a single system. If a hacker were to get into that central system or steal a user’s password, they’d have access to all of the apps and tools connected to that SSO system. Thankfully, it’s easy to add extra security tools to an SSO login system. The best option? Two-factor login from Swoop. The main idea of two-factor login is to double-check your identity before granting access. You might worry that adding a step will decrease the quality of the user experience, but remember that the SSO process is already extremely efficient for users. The best part about implementing a two-factor login element to your SSO system, though, is that it doesn’t seriously affect the user’s experience. Two-factor login is quickly becoming the norm, and most users don’t mind completing a two-factor process once if it