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Magic Link Passwordless Authentication; Does it work?
Magic Link passwordless authentication technology continues to emerge as one of the favorite modes of login to interact with some devices or internet counterparts such as computerized sites but seems to evolve dramatically over time.
Through the view of the generation of login authorities, the style of login has moved from password to passwordless. Indeed, days have passed when device users no longer carry or try to remember complicated passwords. Passwordless login technology has solved the problem, such as losing or forgetting passwords that could be difficult to retrieve.
Today, users can log in to their devices without using a complicated combination of numbers, letters, symbols, or other credits that form a password. This passwordless login is presented in the form of a magic link or passwordless authentication Magic links.
What is a Magic link?
The Magic link represents a passwordless login and is in the form of the URL. Here, the user won’t be required to key in login credentials, but instead, a link is provided that redirects sign in. These passwordless authentication magic links are embedded as a token via SMS but mainly through email. The user must click the URL or link for authentication, which will direct them to the home sign-in page for a specific application they intend to visit. The process of using this kind of login appears to be magic as the user won’t use the actual password to log in to the application page they need.
The use of magic links is regarded as the quickest way to login services, although it has its risks although very few. Today many individuals and organizations have turned to using passwordless authentication magic links as the quickest and safest methods to log in for application services. It is advantageous because the time to key in a long or complicated login password is minimal, and of course, users can forget such passwords. There are several magic links organizations or users can use, such as Tumblr and Slack; however, this article will cover much that you need to know about magic links and whether they work.
How Passwordless Authentication Magic Links work
There are several simple steps or activities involved in activating magic links. Perhaps, during site registration, the app or site can provide a link to the user that will authenticate times of login subsequently. In this scenario, the authorization link is provided the way the resetting password process occurs; secret links are provided to the user.
The app or site creators(developers) during the activation of magic links, both password login and resetting are removed. When the login and reset password process is removed, it is replaced by single secret links or magic links. The user will secretly receive the link via their email and can use it to visit the site or application through ‘one-click sign in.’ When the user clicks the link, it authenticates and helps the user stay logged for a specific period. What makes the user stay logged in the session is initiated through cookies.
Here is how the magic link will work with three simple steps;
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
On the sign-in page, the user will key in their email address
The user receives a magic link via their email address; this is only applicable if it is a registered email address to that site or app
The user will click the magic link received via their email to open. Clicking or opening the link completes the login process.
However, app creators have to continuously check the validity of the magic link they provide to users while creating accounts. These magic links may allow the user to stay logged for a specific period. Indeed, checking the validity of the magic link from a specific set interval will create an excellent login experience process for users in accessing their accounts. Magic links are excellent, no hardware requirements, no stress or complications to remember long passwords, just a single click.
With an additional device for biometrics you can create a Fido2 approved product.
Advantages of using Magic links
Individuals and business organizations that have moved to use magic links as a way of login safely have realized ultimate benefits. Indeed, Passwordless Authentication has a lot to offer
1. Login Top security
Magic links or authentication a login password has kept unauthorized individuals to someone’s accounts. Many are times when there have been cases of unknown individuals logged into someone’s accounts without their consent. Magic links act as a way of confidentiality and a confirmation that only the right person is the one possessing the access. Therefore, the risks of surface attacks are minimal.
2. They are simple to use
If there is an easy method of the login process, magic link authentication is the one. Users only have to put their email address and get login redirection straight to their email address. One tap on the magic link provided gets the user logged to the site or app as issues of login troubleshooting are minimal.
3. Loyalty building
Sites or applications that use authentication as a way of login associated accounts, users are likely to build loyalty with them. The use of magic links can build a positive experience for all users, and chances of increasing site adoption are always high.
4. Usable to many devices
Unlike other methods of password confirmations such as biometric scanning, magic links can be useful to many devices so long as they can receive emails. For example, desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones work well with magic links since they can receive emails.
Disadvantages of using Magic links
a. There are risks of unauthorized individuals accessing individual account sessions
Since magic links are sent to an individual’s email, that email can be logged to several accounts without the owner’s consent. Individuals with those devices can see and have access to a specific site that provides the magic link. This is only avoidable if the email owner operates through an encrypted network.
b. Magic links can't protect all kinds of malware
Magic links can easily initiate cyberattacks, especially MitB or man-in-the-browser malware, which mostly intercepts all data shared on the device. The common data captured include PINs and OTPs or all login sections by the device.
c. Magic link implementations are costly
If the magic link implementation is required to serve many customers, it can be costly—for example, the cheapest key USB token, a single hardware security cost around $20. Besides, the magic link or OTP tools for a site costs more than $25/month. However, these costs vary with the service providers.
Magic Link - Conclusion
Although login technology has gone far to magic link passwordless authentication as the most convenient sign-in method to a page, there are still risks. Depending on only magic links to visit your account owned by apps or sites doesn’t assure a user that no other individual can access such accounts. The security through the use of magic links shouldn’t remain in the hands of the email owner who only chooses to initiate two-way email authentication. Therefore, sites and apps that intent to initiate the use of magic links should also find a way to protect their customers from getting at risk of hackers and malware attacks.