Lenovo, Intel introduce PC-ready built-in biometric authentication measures

Lenovo and Intel have introduced the first PC-ready built-in authentication measures to support users’ online browsing, working and shopping.
 
Using Intel Online Connect on 7th and 8th Gen Intel Core processors, Lenovo’s latest PCs including the Yoga 920, ThinkPad X1 Tablet (2nd generation), ThinkPad X1 Carbon (5th generation) and IdeaPad 720S integrate FIDO-certified authenticators directly into the foundation of the PCs.
 
The measures ensure seamless and safer online authentication when logging into popular websites like PayPal, Google, Dropbox and Facebook.
 
Instead of using passwords, users can log in with the touch of a finger on the integrated fingerprint reader through Universal Authentication Framework (UAF), or the click of a real-time, onscreen button through Universal 2nd Factor (U2F).
 
With these integrated FIDO authenticators, websites use security keys that are protected and integrated into the PC’s hardware, ultimately increasing user protection and decreasing fraud.
 
UAF fingerprint authentication allows users to authenticate to their PayPal account with the touch of a finger on the encrypted fingerprint reader embedded on the PC.
 
U2F with built-in second factor authentication tags on an additional security factor to the authentication process after users log in to a website using their standard user ID and password access.
 
Instead of using a separate security key or SMS code, second factor authentication is built into the PC to identify the user and directly prompts the user to click a button to log into websites like Google, Facebook, Dropbox and more.
 
Intel Online Connect and Intel Software Guard Extensions (Intel SGX) are built into 7th and 8th Gen Intel Core processors, offering user authentication data protection with the implementation of the integrated fingerprint reader.
 
With authenticators built directly into PCs, merchants can provide the same security measures to millions of users who routinely use their computer to access social media, banking information and online shopping.
 
This integrated solution aims to deliver increased security that’s simple and easy to use by combining the latest technologies and hardware to decrease reliance on passwords.
 
As a result, the solution will safeguard users against phishing or malware attacks and protect their vulnerable personal data with hardware-level encryption.
 
“Intel continues to drive innovation that simplifies and secures the computing experience,” said Chris Walker, VP and client computing group and general manager of mobility client platform at Intel. “We are excited about the close collaboration between Intel and Lenovo using hardware-based technology on 7th and 8th Generation Intel Core processors to bring secure authentication experiences to the PC.”
 
Intel Online Connect can be downloaded from the web and will be made available via Lenovo System Update and Lenovo App Explorer on all Lenovo laptops with 7th and 8th Gen Intel Core processors that have enabled Intel SGX.3
 
Compatible Lenovo systems include Yoga 920, IdeaPad 720S, ThinkPad X1 Tablet (2nd generation), ThinkPad X1 Carbon (5th generation), ThinkPad Yoga 370, ThinkPad T570, ThinkPad P51s, ThinkPad T470s, ThinkPad X270 and ThinkPad X270s.
 
“Going online has become an indispensable part of our daily lives in the always-on, digital world. People need hassle-free, built-in security that helps to protect them when logging into websites for banking, shopping and social media,” said Johnson Jia, senior vice president of Lenovo’s PCs and Smart Devices Product Group. “Partnering with Intel to deliver FIDO-certified solutions, we’re addressing online security issues head-on by providing a simpler, safer online authentication experience and reducing our dependency on passwords alone.”

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