🌍 The Evolution of Identity: How Logging In Changed Everything

🕹️ 1. The 1980s – Basic Password Era

💬 “Welcome to your terminal. Enter password:”

Back then, identity was simple:

• 🔸 One system

• 🔸 One password

• 🔸 Stored in plain text

🔓 Try it yourself:
Visit Neocities — a retro-style web host.
You’ll see how websites used to feel in the early internet.
There’s no login standard — everyone built their own.

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🖥️ 2. The 1990s – Directory-Based Access

💬 “You’re on the company network now. Enter your Windows login.”

Businesses started using Active Directory:

• 🔹 Central control over users

• 🔹 Logins only worked on internal networks

• 🔹 Admins managed user accounts manually

🧑‍💼 Simulation:
That “Ctrl + Alt + Delete” login screen on Windows?
Classic Active Directory.

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🌐 3. The 2000s – Password Chaos Era

💬 “Forgot your password?”

The web exploded with apps. Each had its own login:

• 🔹 No standards

• 🔹 Password fatigue everywhere

• 🔹 Sticky notes under keyboards 👀

🧪 Try it live:
Visit SourceForge — separate login system from everything else.

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🔑 4. The 2010s – SSO + MFA Era

💬 “Sign in with Google?”

IAM matured. Welcome to:

• 🔹 Single Sign-On (SSO)

• 🔹 Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

• 🔹 Federated Identity

🔧 Try it yourself:
Visit Notion or Trello and click “Sign in with Google.”

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🧠 5. The 2020s – Zero Trust & Smart IAM

💬 “Login detected from a new location. Is this you?”

IAM today is intelligent:

• 🔹 Adaptive policies

• 🔹 Device + location awareness

• 🔹 Passwordless & biometric options

🧪 Try it live:
Log in to Figma or Slack from a new device — watch how IAM adapts.

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🚀 Conclusion

From terminal prompts to biometric scans — identity access has come a long way. It’s not just about logging in anymore; it’s about trust, security, and experience.