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Hacked off by online security14 March 2008A recent online initiative constructed by the Open ID Foundation (OIDF) indicates that the online experience is about to become a far simpler one. Rather than having to remember separate usernames and passwords for every single website, this concept allows the user to instead create just one identity that acts as the key to each and every one of these sites. With over 10,000 websites already available via Open ID, users can sign up with one of many corporate giants providing this service, with Microsoft, Google and Yahoo being amongst the options. Recent media reports have been very keen to focus on the positives - of which there are undoubtedly many - but to disregard the negatives would be slightly naïve.
The Open ID development is by no means completely unique, and has been tried and tested in years gone by. Perhaps the most notable excursion was Microsoft's Passport, which was a similar method of allowing single sign-on services through one provider. Many felt uneasy about registering due to the fact that a central service would be controlling their personal data, and their user activity would be monitored likewise. These factors led to a distrust that never fully recovered.
Open ID, on the other hand, has been a tremendous success. A mammoth 370 million users have already signed up, and have seemingly warmed to the fact that unlike Passport, this system allows them to hold onto their personal data.
My overwhelming concern with single login systems such as these is that there is surely a heightened security risk. With so much emphasis placed on password protection in this day and age, and when considering the time that has been spent developing such security measures, this almost seems as though it could be a step backwards.
Say, for instance, that an online rogue happened across your Multimap login password. At most, this would be perceived as an annoyance or inconvenience, but the potential damage severity is low. However, should the same individual discover such login details for Open ID, then they could have access to a huge wealth of information - such as bank account records and any number of e-mails - and the chances of identity theft sky-rocket. Whilst there has not been any documented reports of such problems thus far, hackers are never far away, and before long, they will surely find a way to make menace of Open ID likewise.
Which leads us to its usage in the business world, and more specifically, in the panel building industry. Businesses have been very receptive to the idea as it cuts costs (and eliminates the need of opening multiple accounts in different locations). I can't foresee that many companies would abandon their own tight-knit security methods on the off-chance that Open ID might save them a small amount of time, but there is the possibility that many new and inexperienced companies may not fully anticipate the dangers that lurk behind this recent phenomenon.
Remote condition monitoring is becoming more and more popular, and is one example of where online security is paramount. Users enjoy the service as it allows them to monitor their plant floor with ease, enabling them to login anywhere in the world (and indeed, receive text message alerts) to hear of any possible faults. However, should this data become accessible by unauthorised persons, then a plethora of issues await. For instance, offshore wind farms - which are of vital importance to local communities - could be under threat if fault reports are tampered with, or go missing completely. The consequences are unthinkable, and could result in thousands of pounds worth of damages.
Streamlined systems such as Open ID certainly appear to be more convenient at first glance, but there is certainly an element of risk involved. Hopefully, scenarios such as the above are a long way off, but it's certainly recommendable that we all tread carefully; and that's regardless of whether it's for personal or business reasons. Contact Details and Archive...Most Viewed Articles... |
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