The Sixty Second Tech Explains OpenID

If you are responsible for your company’s web strategy, you probably have a list of technologies that you can’t afford to ignore; near the top of that list should be OpenID. Chances are you already have an OpenID identifier since AOL, Yahoo and Google all are “identify providers”. If you have a login on any one of those services then you have an OpenID identifier.

For the uninitiated, think of OpenID as a single user name and password for the entire web. However, instead of the usual way that is implemented, just using the same use rname and password everywhere, with OpenID, you only identify yourself to your identity provider.; they will then identify you to any website supporting OpenID.

OpenID provides your user with both convenience and security. Convenience because allowing your users to log into your website via OpenID means that they don’t have to remember yet another password. Security because your user can now pick which identity provider they trust to keep their information secure, they don’t have to worry whether your application is secure enough for their secrets.

Implementing OpenID for your site will give your users one more reason to trust you since they don’t have to trust you as much.

My name is Cal Evans and I am your Sixty Second Tech.