FIDO Authentication Standards & Protocols

Question 1

What does FIDO stand for?

Accepted Answer

Fast IDentity Online

Answer

FIDO is an acronym for "Fast IDentity Online." It represents a set of open standards designed to reduce the reliance on passwords for authentication, aiming to make online authentication simpler and more secure. The FIDO Alliance develops these specifications to promote a passwordless future.

Question 2

Which protocol is commonly associated with FIDO2?

Accepted Answer

WebAuthn

Answer

WebAuthn (Web Authentication) is the core protocol associated with FIDO2, which is the latest set of FIDO specifications. It is a web standard published by the W3C and FIDO Alliance that allows users to authenticate to web services using strong, phishing-resistant credentials via authenticators like biometric sensors or security keys. WebAuthn enables passwordless and multi-factor authentication directly within web browsers.

Question 3

What is a key benefit of using public key cryptography in FIDO?

Accepted Answer

Enhances security with asymmetric keys

Answer

FIDO leverages public key cryptography, which uses a pair of mathematically linked keys: a public key and a private key. The private key remains on the user's device, while the public key is registered with the online service. This asymmetric key system enhances security because the private key is never transmitted, making it resistant to phishing and server breaches, unlike shared secrets or symmetric keys.

Question 4

Which factor is NOT part of multi-factor authentication (MFA)?

Accepted Answer

An IP address

Answer

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) requires a user to provide two or more distinct verification factors from different categories to gain access. These categories typically include something you know, something you have, and something you are. An IP address is a network identifier and does not fall into any of these distinct authentication factor categories; it's typically used for location-based security checks, not as an authentication factor itself.

Question 5

What is U2F in FIDO standards?

Accepted Answer

Universal 2nd Factor

Answer

U2F stands for "Universal 2nd Factor." It is an open authentication standard that strengthens and simplifies two-factor authentication using specialized USB, NFC, or Bluetooth security devices. U2F was one of the early FIDO specifications, designed to provide a strong, phishing-resistant second factor for login.

(FIDO) FIDO Certified Authenticator Practice Test

(FIDO) FIDO Certified Authenticator Practice Test

FIDO Authentication Standards & Protocols