(Credit: Lance Whitney)

Firefox is taking a new step toward a password-free future.

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The next major release of Firefox, version 66, will add support for Microsoft's Windows Hello authentication, according to Mozilla and as first reported by Techdows. With Firefox currently on version 65, this means Windows Hello will land in the browser around mid-March.

Introduced in Windows 10, Windows Hello is Microsoft's attempt to eliminate, or at least limit, the need for passwords. With Windows Hello, Windows 10 users can sign in using fingerprint or facial recognition, a PIN, or a security key. This technology carries over to the Web, allowing you to use these password-free methods to sign into Hello-supported sites.

Firefox and other browsers already use an authentication method called Web Authentication API, or WebAuth for short. Developed under the auspices of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), WebAuthn also lets you sign into supported websites using a fingerprint, PIN or security key. But WebAuthn no longer works with the latest Windows Insider builds, according to a Mozilla bug report from three months ago.

"WebAuthn no longer works on Windows Insider builds, as compatible security keys are no longer available via the USB HID interface," a Mozilla engineer said in the report. "(Basically, u2f-hid-rs [1] will stop supporting Windows 10+). Sometime this spring, Firefox 66 or 67 (and ESR 60) will need to use the Windows Hello API on when available to interact with Web Authentication. Otherwise, no devices will be detected and we'll have a Windows feature regression."

A spokesperson for Mozilla confirmed the support for Windows Hello in the following statement sent to Download.com:

"Firefox 66 supports using Windows Hello with Web Authentication, building on our Web Authentication security key support from Firefox 60. This support lets Windows 10 users utilize any mechanism available to Windows Hello to authenticate with implementing web applications, from USB-attached security keys to biometric identification. Additionally, Firefox will now support 'passwordless' login paradigms for supporting web properties on Windows 10. Web applications currently using Web Authentication include Dropbox and Login.gov. Windows Hello is the first technology Firefox has integrated for the more advanced 'passwordless' Web Authentication features; Mozilla remains committed to bringing the full potential of Web Authentication to every Firefox platform."

Windows Hello support is already built into Microsoft Edge where you can sign into Microsoft's own websites and other sites without having to enter a password. Several password managers and other third-party applications also let you sign in using Hello's various authentication methods. However, there are some barriers to Windows Hello.

The technology works only on Windows 10 devices. Fingerprint recognition requires a compatible fingerprint reader built into or attached to your computer or keyboard. Facial recognition works only with certain webcams. The security key option requires a dedicated security dongle, such as a YubiKey. If you can't use any of these authentication methods, though, you can still create and use a PIN.

To enable Windows Hello in Windows 10, open Settings and click on Accounts. At the Accounts page, select Sign-in options. Select the type of authentication you want to use. Windows only shows you the methods supported on your computer or device.

You can get a feel for how Windows Hello will work with Firefox by trying it out in Edge. Open Microsoft Edge. Browse to a Microsoft website, such as Office.com. Click the Sign in button. At the prompt to enter your password, click the link for Other ways to sign in. Select the option to Use Windows Hello or a security key. Choose the type of authentication you want to use, such as Fingerprint or PIN, and sign in with that method.

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Takeaways

Firefox is adding support for Microsoft's Windows Hello in one of its upcoming major releases. With Windows Hello, Firefox users on Windows 10 will be able to sign into supported websites using fingerprint or facial recognition, a PIN, or a security key.

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