The Hidden Connect: Accounts, Wallets, and Credentials in Crypto
Tags: blockchain, beginners, productivity, learning
Published: 2024-01-28 22:52:29

*Read the entire article to receive your [Proof of Learning](https://wallet.mintbase.xyz/s/BLO5b4bBpoi58-r9A5aW-)!*

## Today is Just OK

Have you ever logged into a website without thinking much about it? Maybe you used G••gle or Faceb••k to sign in, or perhaps you entered a simple email address and password, sometimes even the same password you use everywhere. But what if there was a safer, easier way?

## Introducing a Better Way

There is! By using Mintbase Wallet for user login in your app, you're tapping into webauthn technology. This tech uses things like fingerprints to confirm a user's identity, offering a secure and even smoother experience than the usual login methods we see today.

## Understanding the Basics

Let's break down the basics: Credentials, Accounts, and Wallets. While these are important for us to understand, your regular users don't need to worry too much about them.

### Credentials

Credentials can be anything used to prove who you are. Remember those old video game codes you had to write down? Those were a type of credential. These days, we usually use usernames and passwords for everything from online banking to casual browsing.

In systems like two-factor authentication, each 'factor' is a separate credential. In blockchain systems, where there's no 'undo' button, using multiple credentials (multi-factor authentication) is vital for keeping your assets safe.

Sometimes, you can use multiple credentials for one account. For example, access to a specific email or phone number can be a credential to reset your password.

### Accounts 

An account is the information a service keeps about you. Think of your progress in a game, your posts on social media, or your bank balance. Credentials let you access your account, but they are not the account itself.

### Wallets: Linking Credentials and Accoutns

In the web2 world, a popular system is oauth, which lets you log into smaller websites using credentials from bigger sites. While convenient, it has its drawbacks, like less privacy.

Web3 brings a more secure and convenient solution with the webauthn standard. Developers can add a wallet selector to their sites, allowing users to log in using their own securely stored credentials. This method is safer and easier than using passwords.

A wallet is software that helps users manage their secure credentials, making it easier and safer to access accounts.

## Try It Out

Now that you understand the theory, why not experience it for yourself? [Use this link to create an account with Mintbase Wallet](https://wallet.mintbase.xyz/s/BLO5b4bBpoi58-r9A5aW-). You'll use the biometric vault on your device as credentials. As a bonus, you'll get an NFT to celebrate learning and reading this far. Then try [Adding Wallet Connect to Your React App](https://docs.mintbase.xyz/dev/getting-started/add-wallet-connection-to-your-react-app)!

![Beautiful Boss Girl In Charge Of Her Accounts, Credentials, and Wallets](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/onke7irwwvvigy66pvrv.png)

[Collect Your Proof of Learning](https://wallet.mintbase.xyz/s/BLO5b4bBpoi58-r9A5aW-)