LuxSci supports OpenID as a mechanism for logging into its web-based user interface.  OpenID allows both a single signon for multiple web sites (so you do not have to remember as many usernames and passwords); it can also enhance the security of your account.

As with most web sites that support OpenID access, LuxSci also permits users to login with their usual username and password — even if OpenID use is enabled.  This is usually a good thing, as it allows users to login if, for some reason, their OpenID is not working.

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LuxSci has supported login to Web-based email and administration consoles since January, 2009. OpenID allows users with logins to other websites to use those logins to access their LuxSci accounts as well — thus needing to remember fewer passwords, or to have enhanced security.

Now, in addition to permitting any generic OpenID login, LuxSci has specific OpenID login support for logins from Google, Windows Live ID, myOpenID, Yahoo!, Facebook, AOL, flickr, VeriSign Personal Identity Portal, Livejournal, Blogger, and WordPress.

These specific options make it easier and faster to use OpenID logins from these providers.

To use an OpenID to login to your LuxSci account, you need to login normally first, go to “Account > My Profile > OpenIDs”, and then add your OpenID login to your account as an authorized means of logging in for you.

It’s the classic problem of having “too many keys”.  You have accounts on many different web sites.  Some are small and relatively insignificant, from a security point of view, like blogs or shopping sites.  Some are large and sensitive, like banking and PayPal accounts.  Since unified login mechanisms like OpenID are not yet pervasive, you must remember the usernames and passwords for every single site.  This is a truly daunting task.

Ideally, you would like to use passwords that are “strong” (i.e. very good, not easily guessable) and different for every site.  However, how can you remember each secure and unique password without resorting to a “cheat sheet”?

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LuxSci has allowed use of OpenIDs provided by third parties for access to user accounts since December.  Proper use of OpenIDs can make logging into sites such as LuxSci both faster and more secure.

Now, LuxSci is also an OpenID Provider. This means that you can create an OpenID based on your existing LuxSci account that can be used as a single sign on to any other web site that supports OpenID.

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Now that LuxSci supports OpenID as an option for logging into WebMail, it raises the questions:  “Just how secure is OpenID?” and “Does this new technology allow for more secure logins?”  In short, the security of OpenID can vary from very poor to extremely iron-clad. OpenID does allow you to make your logins to WebMail “bullet-proof”, if you set things up appropriately.

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LuxSci now allows users to login to its WebMail, Affiliate, and SecureSend portals using an OpenID. This feature can make logins faster, simpler, and even more secure by:

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The LuxSci Software Platform allows organizations to run LuxSci’s software on their own servers, in their own data center(s), supported by their own staff.  This is very flexible and cost effective and used by ISPs and other organizations with moderate to large numbers of users. LuxSci has just released a "Support API" for such organizations so that many of the standard support tasks can be automated or controlled by external systems.

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