One Login to Rule Them All: Platforms That Simplify Your Digital Life
Single sign-on is a popular way to log in to many of your online accounts, saving you from keeping track of a never-ending list of usernames and passwords. It has been developed to make sign-ins more efficient and convenient. If you’re new to single sign-on, you might have questions about what it is and how it works. Here, we’ll answer these questions, explore the benefits, and look at various platforms you can use to adopt single sign-on in your personal and professional life.
What Is Single Sign-On?
Single sign-on (SSO) uses one set of credentials, usually a username and password, to access accounts across different apps and service providers. Even if you don’t use SSO, you’ve likely encountered this sign-in option for various websites and apps asking if you’d like to use your Google or Facebook account to sign in.
SSO allows you to use one set of credentials to access third-party apps through an identity provider. The system verifies your login credentials, giving you access to the third-party app without creating a new username and password. For example, you’ll encounter this when logging into YouTube, which you can use your Google credentials to log in to. In this instance, YouTube is the third-party app, and Google is the identity provider.
The process is facilitated through tokenization, which gives you access to an app while keeping your password and username private. It adds speed and convenience to online activities, among other benefits.
What Are the Benefits of SSO?
Aside from making it a one-click process to sign up and sign in for private accounts, SSO offers numerous benefits, contributing to its widespread adoption by both individuals and businesses.
Reduced Password Fatigue
Many websites and apps require us to create unique usernames and passwords. Creating strong, unique passwords can be time-consuming, and keeping track of them can be exhausting. It’s also very easy to lose track of different passwords and need to undergo the process of resetting them. These are so common that the term “password fatigue” was coined to describe them. SSO offers a solution to password fatigue, preventing the frustration and stress of creating and managing many passwords.
Faster Onboarding
SSO speeds up onboarding by eliminating new account setups. It allows you to avoid the time it takes to add your information and verify the account, which often takes multiple steps. Instead, all this is done through the identity provider in just a few clicks, allowing you to continue your digital journey with almost no interruption.
Improved User Experience
By offering SSO options, app developers and service providers create a more streamlined interaction with their platform, which shapes a better user experience. SSO allows users to focus on the app’s or website’s core service by reducing onboarding frustration and password fatigue.
Enhanced Security
By eliminating the need to create new passwords, SSO prevents you from relying on weak, reused passwords. People tend to turn to these types of passwords when they want to save time during an account sign-up, but it can increase the risk of compromised personal data and other security issues. With SSO, you can save time and have one password belonging to a centralized, secure account that enables you to access content and services with little delay and fewer risks.
SSO Platforms
With these benefits in mind, it’s easy to see the uses and appeal of single sign-on services. Many SSO platforms help users access diverse apps with ease. From the most popular general SSO tools to niche solutions tailored to specific needs and interests, the following platforms are worth using to save time and mitigate password fatigue.
Google Sign-In
Google is the best-known and broadest-reaching SSO identity provider. A huge catalog of third-party apps, sites, and services embrace Google as a sign-on partner. Since Google is broadly used, it’s a useful SSO option for many people, and because the brand is familiar to most online users, it establishes trust.
Apple Sign-In
Apple is another widely recognized and trusted SSO platform. The company’s commitment to security and privacy instills confidence in signing in to different apps using this platform. Like Google, this has led to many third-party companies embracing this option for their users.
Facebook Sign-In
When it comes to social media platforms like Instagram and Pinterest, games, and other third-party apps, Facebook is a popular sign-in option. It’s a familiar and relevant option for signing in to other social media and messaging platforms while offering all the benefits of using an SSO platform.
Steam Login
While Steam is primarily a gaming platform, it also provides a useful SSO option for other services. Your Steam credentials can help you log into some WordPress-powered websites, Kirby, and various games for streamlined experiences across different entertainment platforms. With it, you can keep all your entertainment accounts attached to a single, convenient login credential.
Inclave Login
For those who embrace the accessibility of online gaming, Inclave is another useful, secure sign-on partner known primarily for catering to online gambling sites. It allows you to easily start placing wagers through efficient, seamless onboarding. You can find an Inclave casino list on BonusFinder to keep your gambling log-in experience frictionless and frustration-free.
Microsoft Entra ID
Microsoft Entra ID is a secure, streamlined SSO platform that allows you to utilize Microsoft 365 applications, other Microsoft products, and large-scale third-party software programs.
Okta
Beyond Microsoft Entra ID, Okta is another useful SSO tool for businesses. It allows streamlined logins across business tools such as Salesforce, Zoom, Slack, and Google Workspace. Okta prioritizes security with mandatory multi-factor authentication for all users to ensure security and privacy for individuals and organizations.
Final Thoughts
From your personal life to your professional life, single sign-on platforms can save you time and frustration for a more enjoyable online experience. If you decide to implement SSO, craft a strong password for your identity provider and follow password best practices to protect your personal information. You can enjoy SSO’s benefits while mitigating security risks, which gives you security and convenience.
