OpenID
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[edit] OpenID
[edit] What is OpenID?
OpenID eliminates the need for multiple usernames across different websites, simplifying your online experience.
You get to choose the OpenID Provider that best meets your needs and most importantly that you trust. At the same time, your OpenID can stay with you, no matter which Provider you move to. And best of all, the OpenID technology is not proprietary and is completely free.
[edit] Why Should I Use an OpenID?
For consumers like you, this means using a single login name for any website that supports OpenID. If you own your own domain name, it also means you can use that domain name for your login name.
Additionally, OpenID's can provide a higher level of security. By disabling password access to your account, and using a certificate or token based OpenID provider, you can prevent access to your account to anyone without your specific hardware token. See below for more information on Restricting Access to ScoutManage Based on Hardware Token or Signed Certificate.
[edit] What Websites Support OpenID?
It is estimated that there are nearly ten-thousand sites that support OpenID logins. The following is a list of directories of OpenID-enabled websites:
[edit] Where Can I Get an OpenID?
You may already have one. :-) If you use one of the following services, you already have an OpenID that you can use:
| Service | Your OpenID | |
|---|---|---|
| AOL | openid.aol.com/screenname | |
| Flickr | www.flickr.com/photos/username | |
| LiveJournal | username.livejournal.com | |
| SmugMug | username.smugmug.com | |
| WordPress.com | username.wordpress.com |
If you don't use any of these services, you may use one of the free OpenID service providers:
- My OpenID - Supports signed certificate automatic logins.
- VeriSign - Supports physical security devices and provides a Firefox plugin.
[edit] Who Owns OpenID?
OpenID was created to solve the problems that could not be easily solved by other existing technologies. OpenID is a lightweight method of identifying individuals that uses the same technology framework that is used to identify websites. As such, OpenID is not owned by anyone, nor should it be. Today, anyone can choose to be an OpenID user or an OpenID Provider for free without having to register or be approved by any organization.
The OpenID Foundation was formed to assist the open source model by providing a legal entity to be the steward for the community by providing needed infrastructure and generally helping to promote and support expanded adoption of OpenID.
[edit] Restricting Access to ScoutManage Based on Hardware Token or Signed Certificate
There are two ways to improve security to ScoutManage using OpenIDs. The first is by using a hardware token (such as those used by some banks, work offices, and PayPal). The second is to use a digital certificate. Using OpenID's, each is easy to setup and is either free or very inexpensive.
For more information, see Secure_OpenID.
