Two-Factor Authentication for Apple Watch Available from Duo Security

[Karamjit]

Duo Mobile for Apple Watch comes with a password generator

Michigan-based company Duo Security announced on Tuesday that its two-factor authentication (2FA) technology is will be available for Apple Watch devices, allowing users to control login attempts to their computers.

The 2FA model is designed to secure login access by requiring extra validation from the user, aside from the username and password.

The most prevalent method consists in delivering an additional code to a device owned by the user, which is usually a mobile phone.

Access to the account or device is granted only after the user enters the code on the login page, making it more difficult for a remote attacker to compromise an account or service.

Support for Taptic Engine included

Duo Security’s 2FA solution for Apple Watch works differently because it relies on the user’s approval or denial of the login action when a push notification is received.

A simple tap on the device’s screen is all that needs to be done to grant or decline permission, thus eliminating the need to pull up the mobile phone. The presence of Duo Mobile, the company’s 2FA solution for portable devices, is necessary on the paired iPhone.

The Duo Mobile app for Apple Watch takes advantage of the wearable’s Taptic Engine, which alerts the user of new notifications by generating a gentle tap on the wrist. This way, the user is made aware of even unexpected login events.

App worked from the first try on Apple Watch

Apart from 2FA, Duo’s app also comes with password generation capabilities, useful for creating new passwords for online accounts.

The effort of building the Duo Mobile variant for Apple Watch began before the developers had access to a real device. However, software engineer Omar Abduljaber said that the app worked fine from the first test on a working watch.

“When we got to Apple Headquarters and tried it on a real Apple Watch, it worked perfectly the very first time. We knew we had the first two-factor authentication for the Apple Watch and we’re thrilled to share it with the world,” he said on Tuesday.

An updated version of Duo Mobile for Apple Watch is expected to be released this week.

From: http://news.softpedia.com/news/Two-Factor-Authentication-for-Apple-Watch-Available-from-Duo-Security-480330.shtml