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| Password |
With so many online services requiring passwords, it can be quite
difficult to manage your secret codes especially if you prefer using a
different password for each website.
Google wants to put an
end to it. The tech giant, represented by vice president of security
Eric Grosse and engineer Mayank Upadhyay, outlined their proposal to
develop a hardware that would act as a master key for all online
services. The report, which was published in this month’s issue of IEEE
Security and Privacy magazine, said that Google’s engineers have been
experimenting on creating that master key. Examples in this experiment
include a smart ring for your finger, a cryptic USB stick, or a token
installed in smartphones.
The proposal aims to prevent remote hackers from accessing online
accounts by stealing usernames and passwords. Hackers would not have no
other means to access other people’s account, except by physically
stealing the login device.
But it does have its potential drawbacks, such as the need to have a
backup sign-in method in case the login device becomes lost or damaged.
Also, not everyone would prefer to carry their smartphones around or
wear a ring just to use their computers, not to mention the devices
being physically stolen by disgruntled friends, relatives, and
colleagues.
Google is not the only tech company interested in replacing the password. Last year’s news about Apple’s acquisition
of fingerprint scanner firm AuthenTec lead to rumors that future
iPhones would come with fingerprint sensors built into their home
buttons.
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