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EA Forums Online Security Newsletter - Volume 3

EA_Kuba's avatar
EA_Kuba
Icon for Community Manager rankCommunity Manager
15 days ago

Welcome to Volume 3 of the EA Forums Online Security Newsletter!

 

 

Hello everyone, 👋

Welcome to Volume 3 of the EA Forums Online Security Newsletter!🎉 Number 3 is special in the cybersecurity field, so we can treat this edition as quite special. Why is the number 3 special, you ask? There are many different approaches in cybersecurity that address fundamental aspects. Make your own research and let us know your findings!🧐

Speaking of fundamentals, last month we covered the basics of online safety. It’s a reminder not to overlook the most crucial aspects of your online life! If you missed Volume 2 or need a refresher, the link is here.

This month we’ll cover the interesting topics of biometrics, passkeys, and the passwordless approach to online safety.

As always, by interacting with the newsletter through participating in the quiz or sharing your experiences in the comments, you’ll receive a unique forum badge!

Stay safe! 

What is biometrics?
Biometric authentication uses your biological traits—fingerprint, face, or voice—to verify your identity.

OK, and passkeys?
Passkeys are cryptographic keys stored on your device, removing the need for traditional passwords entirely.

Why should I care?
Both biometrics and passkeys provide a seamless and secure way to log in, eliminating weak passwords susceptible to cracking, phishing risks, and brute force attacks.

What are other benefits of biometrics and passkeys?
First, there is no need to type your password anymore, nor use additional TFA. Another significant benefit is hardened phishing resistance. Even if someone gets hold of your password, they can't steal your fingerprint. Additionally, biometric data can't be guessed or cracked through brute force attacks.

Alright, but what if someone gets my device?
Biometric data is encrypted and stored securely on your device, not in a central database. Even if a hacker accesses your device, they won’t be able to extract your biometric information.

Does my device keep a record of my fingerprint?
Your device keeps a biometric value of your fingerprint, face, or voice, which is then encrypted. Your device does not store your actual fingerprint or photo of your face (apart from your photo reel).

Online Security Newsletter - Volume 3 Quiz

Published 15 days ago
Version 1.0

8 Comments

  • Great edition of the newsletter EA_Kuba! The shift towards biometrics and passkeys is definitely an exciting step forward in online security. Eliminating weak passwords and enhancing phishing resistance sounds like a game-changer.

    That said, I’m a bit slow to change so I’ll be sticking with my trusty password and 2FA for now. Old habits die hard! 🙂

  • I agree with danisoff, another great edition. Seems recently there is a lot of info and talk about passkeys, so this is a timely newsletter.

    I'm also a bit slow to change too though, lol. Plus my ancient iPhone 7 died. I'll have to get a new one quickly.

    I assume using an iPhone or smartphone is a good way to set this up for playing games on PC through the EA app?

    Regardless, seeing as this is a hot topic right now I think more and more sites will encourage users to use it as the best method. Amazon already does.

    It sounds really good, but I'm not quite ready to set it up yet - in fact I can't as I'm smartphoneless!

    Thanks for another useful, and very well timed newsletter!

  • EA_Kalina's avatar
    EA_Kalina
    Icon for Community Manager rankCommunity Manager
    12 days ago

    Biometric authentication used to seem like something straight out of spy movies. Nowadays, many apps give us no choice but to scan our fingerprints, pushing us to embrace the march of progress. 

     For me, it's the best defence my phone has against my 6-year-old daughter. She can memorize my passcodes but hasn't cracked my fingerprint secure yet! 

    Is it just my opinion that kids are the ultimate security testers for devices? New technology looks natural and easy to adapt for the young generation. I will tell you how and when my daughter will unlock my phone—it is just a matter of time—and it will probably be a sign that we need to add another layer of security.

  • GawgPorkChop's avatar
    GawgPorkChop
    Rising Hotshot
    10 days ago

    That, Kalina is indeed an excellent train of thought!

    I would have never come up with that, but your opinion: 

     just my opinion that kids are the ultimate security testers for devices?

    Is right so many levels, (no I won't bore with going into detail), it just is.

    Needless to say, I fully agree. Needfull to say, I doubt that would have ever occured to me.

    Genuinly impressed!

  • It's good that I've been using biometrics for a long time now on almost all applications on my s24 ultra.

  • For my phone, I have the fingerprint biometrics enabled for the lock screen and I find it to be quite useful as I don't have to sit there and type in a password, (or slide a pattern), to unlock my phone.

    Its also useful to help keep my phone safe, as others can't see how I had unlocked my phone and also during an emergency, I don't have to struggle as much to get the phone to the call screen. There's also some apps that supports logging in with biometrics as well, (which I do have enabled for easy access).

    Although, when it comes down to face and voice biometrics, I don't trust those, (especially when earlier versions of these systems were easily fooled by pictures and voice recordings).

  • Once again, EA_Kuba  , thank you so much for this great lesson!!👏👏

    Although we're already using the transition to biometrics on some devices, it's becoming more common (even if we resist it).

    It's an excellent way to eliminate the weaknesses of password-based systems: password reuse, the tedious need to remember complex passwords, and identity theft.

    Furthermore, the difference between biometric access and password access or TFA is that users no longer need a nearby device to authenticate themselves, since they (the biometrics) are the authenticating factor.

    I think it's great for preventing phishing. 
    And as @ EA_Kalina says, to prevent children from gaining easy access. 

    ... Although this type of authentication has been used in cinema for many years, in many action movies with robberies (money, technology, etc.), and the "authenticators" never end up well, ..., poor fingers and eyes. Hahaha.😅