Such Internet notables as Microsoft and AOL recently endorsed the format, which allows users to set up one user ID and password for access to a broad range of participating websites.
OpenID also is a priority for the next version of the Firefox Internet browser.
Raven Zachary, a technology analyst for the 451 Group, said products like OpenID will change the future of password protection because they allow users to take advantage of maximum convenience while shopping, surfing or socializing online.
Users can create an OpenID account at more than 50 websites, including MyOpenID.com and TypeKey.com. Once someone creates the account, one of 30 OpenID providers, including VeriSign and JanRain, are assigned to securely store the user’s data.
“This is leading us on the path toward one username and one password,” said David Recordon of VeriSign.
The service is currently available on more than 1,200 websites with a potential reach of some 75 million people around the world. But JanRain CEO Steve Kveton said those numbers could spike to 15,000 websites and 250 million people this year.
While known primarily as a mainstream tool, OpenID is an open source software application. According to the site, any webmaster can add the software.
“The Internet was built without an identity system, which is incredible in retrospect,” said Kim Cameron of Microsoft. “[The absence of an identity system] limits what you can do with the Internet and exposes you to theft, deception and spam.”
Although an earlier attempt at a universal password, Microsoft’s Passport, failed, experts have high hopes for OpenID, in part because of the growing online identity theft problem.
According to Cameron, a universal system would be more secure because the data would be kept under lock and key and users would not expose themselves by repeatedly having to login to websites.
