WebAuthncompatible

WebAuthncompatible refers to systems, devices, or services that implement and interoperate with the Web Authentication (WebAuthn) standard. WebAuthn is a web API developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) in collaboration with the FIDO Alliance to enable strong, phishing-resistant authentication using public key cryptography. Being WebAuthn-compatible means supporting the client-side API and the server-side verification required to create and use credentials issued by authenticators.

The standard enables two main workflows: registration (credential creation) and authentication (assertion). During registration, a user’s authenticator generates a new key pair and the public key is registered with the relying party (RP). The private key remains secure on the authenticator. During authentication, the authenticator signs a challenge with the private key, allowing the RP to verify the user’s identity using the stored public key. Attestation data may be used to convey device characteristics, though it is optional and can raise privacy considerations.

Compatibility spans clients, authenticators, and servers. Major web browsers support WebAuthn, including Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari. Authenticators come in platform varieties (built into devices or OS-backed) and roaming forms (hardware keys via USB, NFC, or Bluetooth). On the server side, RP implementations must process WebAuthn API calls, verify attestation and assertions, manage credential IDs, and securely store public keys and user data.

Security and usability advantages include stronger phishing resistance, passwordless or two-factor options, and a standardized protocol for cross-platform authentication. Limitations involve device availability, user privacy preferences concerning attestation, and the need for TLS and proper server configuration to ensure robust security.