Passwords are one of the most basic and classic methods for authentication used in cybersecurity today. With passwords, a user chooses a particular phrase or series of digits, pairs it with a username or email, and then inputs their password when they want to access their information. The system validates the input against the stored password and, if they match, allows the user access.
For bad actors, passwords are clearly the most easily compromised logon method, especially with the extreme rise in social engineering attacks. As such, companies are searching more and more for passwordless solutions to authentication such as Photolok, a photo-based MFA system from Netlok. Here’s what you need to know about defending yourself and your company from social engineering attacks using passwordless authentication.
The weaknesses of passwords for authentication
The problem with passwords is their simplicity. Passwords are a single-layer defense system, meaning that, if the password is compromised, the entire set of user data is vulnerable immediately. Passwords are incredibly easy to compromise, as well. With the average person needing to track over 100 passwords on a regular basis, it has become incredibly common to write down passwords in a place where they might be easily seen, copied, or stolen.
Additionally, passwords are relatively easy to crack because modern password-guessing programs can break into an account in seconds. These programs work on passwords of any length and guess using every key on the keyboard, meaning no combination is impossible for them to crack. Beyond this, some criminals use tools like keyloggers to catch your password as you input it.
The biggest threat posed by password-only authentication is social engineering attacks such as phishing schemes. These attacks rely on false urgency and falsified messages and input screens for trusted accounts, designed to make victims believe that they must access their accounts for an important reason. These scams tend to target the most vulnerable and least technologically literate people in our society – often the old and the very young – and rely on emotional manipulation to get their information, eventually causing severe damage to the victim financially or in terms of identity.
How passwordless authentication thwarts social engineering attacks
Because these serious weaknesses with password-based authentication have become more obvious over the years, many businesses and individuals alike are turning to passwordless solutions to protect their information.
To begin with, Passwordless authentication tends to revolve around alternative methods for verifying that the user attempting to access the information in a particular system is who they say they are and is allowed to view the information. These systems rely on things like multi-factor authentication and biometric data to verify a user’s identity. For example, many modern phones have fingerprint sensors and facial recognition software that can be used in the place of passwords for the majority of its secure functions such as locking and unlocking, and accessing accounts.
Additionally, these authentication methods do not require the user to remember a specific password, meaning that they do not need to write it down anywhere or enter it in public spaces and risk compromising that information. These methods also thwart most social engineering attacks by requiring information that is not accessible via coercion; many of these systems rely on secure databanks of information that would not be easy to spoof and there are no keystrokes to log that would be useful long-term.
Photolok, the best passwordless authentication on the market
One of the best examples of passwordless authentication is Photolok from Netlok. Created by Tony Perez after a thoughtful conversation with his daughter about privacy and the future of cybersecurity, Photolok is an innovative and unique MFA system that replaces traditional passwords with a proprietary bank of photos as keys to user data.
Here’s how it works:
- Photo-Based Authentication: When a user creates an account with Photolok, they select specific photos from a provided proprietary-coded photo library. During login, they identify their chosen photo from a grid of similar photos, verifying their identity without needing a password. This method eliminates the common issues and vulnerabilities associated with passwords by bypassing their entry requirements in favor of a harder-to-emulate verification item.
- One-Time-Use Photos: To combat shoulder-surfing and spearfishing attacks, Photolok features one-time-use photos, making remote and public access safer and easier by preventing reuse and minimizing the risk of interception. These photos can be used in place of the user’s regular login photos to access their account quickly and securely. Once used, the 1-Time photos are immediately removed for the user’s account making their knowledge useless to the attacker.
- Duress Label:In cases of forced access attempts, the Duress image label is a visual silent alarm that allows users to alert system administrators instantly while still accessing their account so as not to tip off any hostile parties. This feature is crucial for responding quickly to suspicious access requests and ensuring the integrity of user accounts.
Photolok offers a seamless, secure, and user-friendly authentication process, making it an ideal choice for organizations seeking to bolster their defenses against social engineering attacks.To learn more about how Photolok can safeguard your company, schedule a consultation with the Netlok team today.
