OpenID is something most of you have seen, but have no idea what it is or why you would bother using it in the first place.
Before continuing, if you want to test out OpenID for yourself, a place to do it is right here. PCMech uses the Disqus commenting system which has the option of using it.
OpenID – What is it?
A decentralized authentication system, or in simpler terms a universal login/password.
Where can you use OpenID?
OpenID can be used on any web site that chooses to participate using it.
What are the advantages of OpenID?
The main perk of using OpenID is that you can use a a single username/password for many web sites instead of having to create new username/password combinations over and over again for new web services you may use.
Is OpenID safe?
Yes, and in fact was built from the ground up to be that way.
How does OpenID work exactly?
OpenID themselves describes best how it works, but in a nutshell the process is like this:
- You encounter a web site that allows for an OpenID login, so you go to use it.
- OpenID prompts you to verify yourself.
- You verify yourself and start using the site.
You can somewhat consider this the same as when specific social networks ask permission to use specific apps to post status updates. On Twitter for example, if you opt to use Yahoo! Messenger to post your personal status updates called "tweets", Twitter will ask you permission first whether you want Y! Messenger to be able to do this. After giving permission, you can use Y! Messenger to post tweets whenever you want. The nice part about it is that you only have to grant permission once. OpenID more or less works the same way. Once you grant permission for a specific web site, OpenID will "remember" that permission internally.
How does OpenID make my identity safer?
- Web sites that you choose to use OpenID on are never made aware of your password.
- It is extremely difficult to copy an OpenID, meaning that the likelihood of someone impersonating you is decreased significantly.
- The OpenID system is designed for it to be next to impossible for spammers to harvest your personal information.
Sounds good! Where do I get an OpenID?
You probably already have one and didn’t know it.
If you have:
- A Yahoo! ID
- A Google account
- An AOL account (even if just an AIM screen name)
- A MySpace ID
- or any of these..
..you can start using OpenID right now. Use the same username/password for the respective service you have, authenticate yourself, and that’s all there is to it.
This is, by the way, one of the wonderful things about the OpenID system. Because of OpenID’s decentralized nature, you have the option of choosing which provider you want for OpenID use.
How do I know OpenID won’t be just another fad?
OpenID is not a new thing and has been gaining momentum for some time now, and even the US Government has noted keen interest in it. Why? Because OpenID is a decentralized and moreover safe authentication medium that actually works right.
Even if you try OpenID and don’t care for it, you don’t lose anything. To use it does not require signing up for anything new, so using the system is all gain and no loss.
Give it a try by posting a comment on this article. Just look for the "OpenID" button below.
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