--- title: Optimised authentication methods for Ubuntu Desktop description: Alternatives to passwords provide a streamlined user experience while significantly improving security. url: https://canonical.com/blog/optimised-authentication-methods-for-ubuntu-desktop --- 1. [Blog](https://canonical.com/blog) 2. Article --- [Kris Sharma](https://canonical.com/blog/author/krissharma "More about Kris Sharma") 14 August 2020 # Optimised authentication methods for Ubuntu Desktop [NIST](https://canonical.com/blog/tag/nist) [Security](https://canonical.com/blog/tag/security) [Ubuntu Desktop](https://canonical.com/blog/tag/ubuntu-desktop) --- Share the article Still counting on passwords to protect your workstation? When set up properly, alternatives to passwords provide a streamlined user experience while significantly improving security. These alternative authentication methods can also easily be combined to create a custom and adaptive authentication profile. This whitepaper introduces three popular authentication methods that provide a solid alternative to passwords. Perhaps you’d like to configure your laptop for login using a YubiKey hardware token connected to a dock. Another option could be to login with a Duo push notification when not connected to the dock, but use a Google Authenticator one-time password when no network is available. Maybe you need a separate hardware token just for ssh authentication, and you always need to keep a long, complex password for emergency authentication should all other methods fail. All of these scenarios can be easily configured within Ubuntu. Highlights of this whitepaper include: * Configuration instructions for Yubikeys, the Google Authenticator app and Duo push notifications * Guidance on using Pluggable Authentication Modules (PAM) within Ubuntu * Planning and testing strategies for creating a multi-factor authentication experience * An overview of NIST guidance (NIST 800-63 series, *Digital Identity Guidelines*) to aid in building an authentication plan [Download this whitepaper on optimizing your authentication experience](https://ubuntu.com/engage/desktop-authentication-whitepaper) to see how to combine Yubikeys, the Google Authenticator app, Duo push notifications with traditional passwords to create that custom authentication experience. Download Whitepaper: ## Sign up for our newsletter Get the latest Canonical news and updates in your inbox. Work email: \*I agree to receive information about Canonical's products and services. In submitting this form, I confirm that I have read and agree to [Canonical's Privacy Notice](https://canonical.com/legal/data-privacy/contact) and [Privacy Policy](https://canonical.com/legal/data-privacy). Sign up ## Share on --- ## Related posts [### Ubuntu coming soon to Snapdragon X2 Series platforms, unlocking more Linux PCs for the agentic world](https://canonical.com/blog/ubuntu-coming-soon-to-qualcomm-snapdragon-x2-series-platforms) Canonical and Qualcomm Technologies announce upcoming native Ubuntu support for Qualcomm’s flagship laptop silicon, delivering multi-day battery life, 80 TOPS NPU acceleration,... [Canonical](https://canonical.com/blog/author/canonical) 23 September 2026 [### Accelerating delivery of CVE fixes with a new Kernel release strategy](https://canonical.com/blog/accelerating-delivery-of-cve-fixes-with-a-new-kernel-release-strategy) When it comes to fixing security vulnerabilities, speed is crucial. Canonical is officially outlining a transition from its current 4-week regular and 2-week security kernel... [Canonical](https://canonical.com/blog/author/canonical) 23 September 2026 [### Grace on the currents: Stonking Stingray](https://canonical.com/blog/grace-on-the-currents-stonking-stingray) When the codename for Ubuntu 26.10 was announced, I suspect there was a measurable surge in users searching for the definition of “stonking” across search engines and the... [Aaron Prisk](https://canonical.com/blog/author/aaronprisk) 8 September 2026 [### Canonical joins the Open Secure AI Alliance](https://canonical.com/blog/open-secure-ai-alliance) Canonical is now part of the Open Secure AI Alliance, announced by NVIDIA with partners across cloud computing, cybersecurity, enterprise software, open source foundations, and... [Canonical](https://canonical.com/blog/author/canonical) 28 August 2026