Tag: WebAuthn security

Hey there! If you enjoy this story, feel free to give it a like or share it with friends who love tech tales. Now, let me take you on a little journey.

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I’ve got this rope, and it’s all tangled up in a bunch of knots. It’s a mess, like a misunderstanding waiting to be untangled. Every knot represents a password, and each time I try to tug on the rope, it’s like trying to remember another password for logging into various apps and websites. Frustrating, right?

Now, along comes WebAuthn, a clever friend who helps me see this rope differently. I watched as WebAuthn transformed the tangled rope into a clean, smooth line. It didn’t just untangle the knots; it made them unnecessary. With a gentle touch, WebAuthn introduced devices like fingerprint scanners and face recognition into the mix. Suddenly, I didn’t need to remember all those passwords. It was as if I had a key that fit every lock perfectly.

As the rope straightened out, I realized that WebAuthn made my JavaScript application safer and more secure. It removed the need to store passwords, which could be stolen or misused. Instead, it used strong, cryptographic keys that were unique for each application. It was like turning each knot into a secure lock that only I could open, making the entire rope of my digital life much more secure.

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First, I set up a PublicKeyCredentialCreationOptions object, which is like preparing my key:

const createCredentialOptions = {
    publicKey: {
        rp: { name: "Example App" },
        user: {
            id: new Uint8Array(16), // Ideally a unique user ID
            name: "[email protected]",
            displayName: "User"
        },
        pubKeyCredParams: [{ alg: -7, type: "public-key" }],
        authenticatorSelection: { authenticatorAttachment: "platform" },
        timeout: 60000,
        challenge: new Uint8Array(32) // A unique challenge from the server
    }
};

Next, I use the navigator.credentials.create() method. This is where the magic happens—it’s like creating my own personal key to unlock a secure door:

navigator.credentials.create(createCredentialOptions)
    .then((credential) => {
        // Send credential to the server for verification
        console.log("Credential created:", credential);
    })
    .catch((error) => {
        console.error("Error during credential creation:", error);
    });

Then, when it comes to logging in, I use navigator.credentials.get() to verify my identity. It’s like holding up the key to the lock and watching it click open:

const getCredentialOptions = {
    publicKey: {
        challenge: new Uint8Array(32), // Another unique challenge from the server
        allowCredentials: [{
            id: new Uint8Array(16), // The credential ID from registration
            type: "public-key"
        }],
        timeout: 60000
    }
};

navigator.credentials.get(getCredentialOptions)
    .then((assertion) => {
        // Send assertion to the server for verification
        console.log("Assertion received:", assertion);
    })
    .catch((error) => {
        console.error("Error during assertion retrieval:", error);
    });

Key Takeaways:

• Security Enhancement: WebAuthn enhances security by eliminating the need for passwords, reducing the risk of phishing and password theft.
• JavaScript Integration: With JavaScript, implementing WebAuthn becomes a straightforward process, using APIs like navigator.credentials.create() and navigator.credentials.get().
• User-Friendly: WebAuthn provides a seamless user experience, allowing users to log in with biometric data or security keys instead of remembering complex passwords.