Contact Us
Partner Login
Contact Us
Partner Login

What Is Usernameless Authentication and How Does It Work?

Usernamless authentication is the process of substantiating a user’s right to access data and information without a username. Instead, authentication is accomplished with QR codes, access apps, and biometrics.

usernameless

Usernameless Authentication

With so many services rendered and interactions taking place online, users have an inordinate number of accounts. And that means just as many usernames. Each time users log in on a different device, they have to authenticate with the correct username for each platform, app, and service. This is a tedious and time-consuming process that can easily be avoided.

Usernameless authentication lets customers approve transactions without first having to type in a username. Be it a standard platform login attempt, an identity verification process during an online or phone support session, et al., usernameless authentication gives users a smooth authentication experience that is both secure and convenient.

Benefits of Usernameless Authentication

Usernameless authentication eliminates the need to remember which username was used for which service. It also speeds up the login process, especially on mobile devices with their significantly smaller keyboards. But there are even more benefits to usernameless authentication:

  • Mitigate the risks associated with credential reuse: The widespread recycling of login credentials is an understandable response to the magnitude of usernames required nowadays. However, it leaves users (and companies!) susceptible to any number of cyberattack strategies, most notably credential stuffing. Eliminating the username eliminates this threat.
  • Decrease customer service expenses: Forgotten or compromised credentials  account for nearly 50 percent of all customer service calls. This is time and money that can be better allocated.
  • Enhance the user experience: Thanks to the convenience and ease-of-use provided by usernameless authentication, users can seamlessly access their accounts and services without any hassle. This increases both satisfaction and productivity.

How Does Usernameless Authentication Work?

There are a number of possibilities to implement usernameless authentication. These may rely on QR codes, push codes, or biometrics Here are three examples:

  • QR-code: When attempting to login to a service provider portal on a desktop computer, the portal provides a QR-code. The user then scans this code using the service provider’s access app on their mobile device. When prompted, the user can use biometric authentication for proof of identity. Thereafter, the user is logged in, securely and without the need for a username.
  • Mobile device prompt: This method is especially helpful for authenticating a user during a customer service call. In this case, the customer service rep sends the customer a link on their mobile device. When the customer opens the link, it redirects to the access app, which then requests authentication. The customer service rep is informed that the authentication process was successful and can then securely continue any transactions.

As a precondition, the user has already been registered to the system and has installed and set up a branded access app on their mobile phone. Ideally, they used a biometric authentication method such as FaceID.

A user, currently unknown, wants to log into your website. You issue a QR-code that is tied to the log-in transaction, but has no user specified in it. The user scans the QR-code with the branded app on their phone, confirms that they want to log in and authenticate with their FaceID. In the background you keep polling the status end-point for this transaction with its token. While the user is still going through the motions, the transaction is still pending. But as soon as the authentication is successfully completed, the status endpoint returns a success data object that has the userId, and your back-end systems can link the successful transaction, the log-in, to that user account and give them access to your website.

Nevis Products for Usernameless Authentication

FAQ about Usernameless Authentication

Why Is Passwordless Authentication Without Usernames Convenient?

orange-plus orange-minus

Usernameless authentication simplifies the authentication process for users as they do not have to remember a separate username.

How Does Usernameless Authentication Increase Security?

orange-plus orange-minus

Usernames can be easily guessed or obtained through social engineering, making them a weak point in the authentication process. Userless authentication can provide an additional layer of security by using a more unique identifier such as an email address or phone number.

Are you familiar with Robin Sage? Learn more about the lady and how social engineering works.

How Does Usernameless Authentication Enhance the User Experience?

orange-plus orange-minus

Usernameless authentication can provide a seamless and frictionless user experience, especially for mobile users. Users can quickly authenticate by clicking on a link.

How Does Usernameless Authentication Increase Data Protection?

orange-plus orange-minus

Usernameless authentication can be more privacy-friendly than traditional authentication methods, which often require users to reveal personal information such as their username or email address.