When dealing with virtual currency, storing them safely is very important because the digital world is constantly under the threat of hackers. Just like people protect their physical money and assets by keeping them under lock, security tokens help in storing the cryptocurrency very safely.
What is a security token?
To explain it further, it’s important to understand that when retrieving your Cryptocurrency, even the owner of the currency has to reveal its correct digital identity. Only then it is possible to use the currency, and when a person loses or forgets the identity, it is impossible to retrieve/transact with the cryptocurrencies. In most cases, this is an encrypted key or code. A security token is just like a lock which opens the safety locker so that the person who owns it can access the contents. In the case of Cryptocurrency, these electronically store personal information and thus authenticate the identities of the true owner. These can be used instead of passwords and have to be kept safely as security tokens can be hacked or stolen easily.
In which form does a security token come?
To physically describe how the security token looks, it can be compared to a small portable device like any other electronic gadget. Security tokens are available in many forms like USB tokens or hardware tokens. The hardware tokens contain chips that carry the vital information, and the USB token can be used by plugging into USB ports. There are advanced security tokens which come in the form of wireless Bluetooth device or electronic key fobs which can be programmed to activate other devices remotely.
What are the other uses of security tokens?
When a user logs into a single sign-on device and tries to access a third party website, security tokens are needed for seamless access.
How do these work on the internet?
The security tokens start transmitting information automatically once they are connected with the internet and have to be handled carefully. When they are disconnected from the network, there is no risk, and only the physical safekeeping becomes essential.
How does a security token function?
The security token stores the cryptographic keys and time-sensitive passwords. There is a coordination between the network and the token, and these passwords are reset automatically at a pre-defined interval. The information stored in the security token is highly confidential, and the owner cannot freely share these with other people. Some security tokens use biometrics in addition to ensuring upgraded security features. The security tokens use two-factor authentication, which has two layers of security so that the user experiences more safety.
Are there any weaknesses with Security Tokens?
Even if a third-party steals a token, it is not that easy to access the service or information stored in a token. Besides, the owner of a token can use two-factor authentication, locks, alarms, etc. so that theft/hacking can be easily avoided. Crypto Head has found that this complexity is one of the main barriers of entry into the world of Cryptocurrency.
Why do security tokens create a lot of sensation in the market?
The world of cryptocurrency is in the beginning stage, and a lot has to be done towards legalizing and making the system foolproof. Security tokens are a cost-effective and safer step towards making crypto trading get rid of the existing shortcomings. When cryptocurrencies reach wide acceptance, security tokens can help in reducing the back-office costs by eliminating them. Now many corporates want to use the latest concepts like blockchain, crypto, and digital contracts, which can be facilitated smoothly with the use of security tokens. In the future, when all forms of security, like shares and bonds, become virtual in their format, one security token will have the capability to handle all these different types of investments.
Do security tokens have bright prospects in the future?
Security tokens have a huge hidden potential of convertible usage for various purposes. That is why some experts even feel that in the future, security tokens would take care of ICOs. Currently, all the markets, including the crypto market, operate with a settlement time of around 2+ days. In the future, this delay can be eliminated with the help of a security token, and hence, the liquidity level of cryptos will dramatically improve. By making a few modifications in the settings of the token, the geographical extent to which one can trade can be significantly extended. Also, security tokens can bring up markets that can function 24/7 throughout the year.
By furthering the technology behind security tokens, in the future, there won’t be any compliance issues as the token will automatically take care of it. These tokens have the capability of handling programmable assets and help the user to preplan the duration of holding the asset. In the future buying fractional properties and hedging them would be possible because of these tokens. This groundbreaking technology will surely spread the benefits of investment opportunities equally to all people and would increase the market depth of cryptos.
