Chrome, Edge and Firefox. Supporting Biometrics.

Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Mozilla Firefox will soon support web-based biometric authentication which should give users more protection against phishing and may reduce the need for passwords.

These internet browsers are expected to allow users to sign into online profiles through facial recognition, fingerprint scanners and voice authentication. Online biometric authentication through these browsers requires no additional software.

Chrome OS, Windows, and MacOS, Linux, and Android are all adding features to help users safely log in using biometric identification via USB, Bluetooth, and NFC devices connected to smartphones and tablets. By having this convenience, users can verify their accounts on the go.

Passwords are notoriously bad at protecting users’ accounts and the information they store. Facial scans, fingerprints and voice recognition would make it much more difficult for hackers to commit identity theft. That means you’re also less likely to be duped by an email from a hacker pretending to be your boss asking for the company credit card.

Biometric verification will also lessen the need for logging in your information when shopping online, streaming video, using cloud applications, and other internet-based transactions. Windows 10 has already adopted features that offer limited account management with fingerprints and facial scans. But none of the big-name technology vendors have offered solutions to achieve this on mobile devices as of yet.

Browser-based biometrics could revolutionize and streamline the steps of verifying an online account. It promises to add more security and ease in logging in and transacting on the internet.

*Reprinted with permission; TechNet/Digital Trends   — https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/