Internet Identity: Introduction To Blockchain Authentication Systems

Many blockchains and cryptocurrencies require users to use wallets and apps such as MetaMask to use certain functionalities and enter the ecosystem. This creates a high barrier to entry for normal folks wanting to get into Web3. As a result, this turns them away and keeps them outside the ecosystem, which goes against the values and goals that Web3 promises such as greater inclusion and more equal access.

The Internet Computer seeks to knock down this high barrier for entry and provide a way for regular people to use its Web3 apps — it first does this through its native Internet Identity blockchain authentication system.

What Is Internet Identity?

Internet Identity is an anonymous blockchain authentication framework supported by the Internet Computer. Users can create identity anchors that they link to cryptographically enabled devices like a computer or phone that they can use to signup and authenticate to any DApp running on the Internet Computer. This provides an easy way to access apps while ensuring top-notch security through cryptography.

This is different from other authentication and sign-in methods because it doesn’t require you to set and manage passwords or provide any sensitive personally-identifying information to the apps you’re using.

How To Use Internet Identity?

Internet Identity is just a number used to authenticate into a DApp. For example, it’s the Web3 equivalent of signing into your iCloud or Amazon account. So on the Internet Computer, you don’t really have an Internet Identity platform, but rather you use the Internet Identity identifier to log in to your favorite Internet Computer DApps.

For those who want a brief overview and instructions on how to create an Internet Identity, see the infographic below.

Internet Identity Advantages: Why It Is Game Changing?

The first advantage and innovation that Internet Identity brings are it eliminates the Web2 pain points of having to write down, memorize, and store passwords on pieces of paper and notebooks that can get lost and have to be constantly updated when you forget your login information.

The Internet Identity gives you an anchor number that you can just write down instead or save on the computer, and when you log in just authenticate it with your fingerprint or on-hand device. This makes signing in much easier and time effective versus manually typing in passwords or having them stored on centralized services or apps.

The second advantage and innovation is its use of cryptography and biometric sensors to sign in. Advanced non-hackable cryptography is necessary for the age of bad actors constantly trying to hack into your devices and steal your passwords, bank account numbers, and personal information. The Internet Computer’s team of cryptographers solved this problem with the Internet Identity so that now users can safely log in with no record of their personal information attached to the authentication and login number.

The third and last advantage is its interoperability with the Internet Computer ecosystem. To give a Web2 analogy, your Amazon password may be different from your iCloud password or Gmail password, but the Internet Identity can be an identification number if you choose. So you can have one Internet Identity number for a certain type of application and another for a different application. The freedom is yours and it’s still easy to login because it’s a number that’s cryptographically remembered when routed to the Internet Identity canister-hosted browser.