Over the years, the public has experienced the drawbacks of relying on weak passwords – including the likes of credit card fraud and identity theft. However, despite the many negative consequences of hacked login credentials, online users continue to use weak passwords.
In fact, the top 10 passwords typically go unchanged from year to year – #1 is “123456” and #2 is “password.” We live in a time where we need to start cracking down on password security.
Fortunately for the throngs of people creating, using, and repurposing ridiculously simple passwords, many companies are building more secure methods of managing online accounts. In the future, these methods may replace the traditional password altogether.
2-Factor Authentication
As of now, 2-factor authentication will most likely be the first to take over the traditional password. However, 2F-A doesn’t make the login process simpler – it adds in an additional step to make your account more secure. Most major companies already offer multi-factor authentication like Apple, Google, and Amazon. If you activate this security feature, your login process will involve two steps, usually a traditional password combined with a code or approval sent via text or email. Here at Magnitech, we also like to recommend using multi factor authentication apps or tools. These tools produce a unique code on your cell phone that can give you access to your accounts after a correct password is entered.
Biometrics
Do you currently use a fingerprint to open an apps or even your cell phone lock screen? What better way is there to validate a user than with the physical user? With fingerprint readers, selfies, and retina scanners, biometric account verifiers are a surefire way to confirm if a user really is the rightful user of an account. With the integration of the fingerprint reader into the iPhone, Apple has done an excellent job of making biometrics a likely future for passwords. But that’s not the only biometric the public has seen. Voice and face recognition and retina scanners are also on their way to becoming a regular part of your day. One drawback we have seen with biometric scans is the use of AI and facial recognition. Remember the Face App trend? Hackers can now use AI to break through the facial recognition biometric.
Wearables
One of the most recent and innovative password replacements is wearables. Some companies (like PayPal) are fully determined to replace the traditional password with a wearable. In the future, PayPal would like you to swallow a chip while other companies simply want you to embed the chip under your skin like a tattoo. But those aren’t the only options that may come to fruition. The Nymi Band can monitor your heartbeat and unlock your accounts via a Bluetooth connection and unique heartbeat signature – something most wrist wearables aren’t able to do.
