How Google Might Soon Make Passwords a Thing of the Past
To function in our highly interconnected world (and to work online), you usually need a few key things: WiFi connectivity (plus a WiFi enhancing gadget), a laptop with it’s gorg carrying case you DIYed yourself and above all, your trusty Google password. After all, this secret string of characters offers access to your whole online life — but perhaps not for much longer! Rumor has it that the Internet giant is testing a new method for users to log in to their Google accounts, and get this: There’s no memorization involved.
A Google spokesperson told The Verge that the company has “invited a small number of users” to test a new, simplified way to login. “Pizza,’ ‘password,’ and ‘123456’ — your days are numbered” says a Google spokesperson, because in the future, all you will need to authenticate yourself in Google is your smartphone.
After authorizing your mobile device, you would be able to input your login credentials and then receive a smartphone notification. In order for mobile authentication to work, your device would need to have the screen lock security feature so that you can unlock your phone and then approve (or deny) access to the Google account. Google suggests that despite its already “robust two-step authentication” approach, the password-free approach may help prevent hacking or password phishing attempts that are designed to steal your data.
But if you’re a little suspicious about the new approach, or perhaps you dreamed up the perfect Google password and can’t bear to part with it, you’re still in luck. Google will apparently continue to offer the option to log in via password for users that prefer the old-school technique. In addition, if you lose your device, Google’s email to test users indicates that you would be able to deactivate that device before it gets into the wrong hands. You can even add a new device when you upgrade your mobile.
Hey, we’ll take any excuse we can get to upgrade our phones!
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(h/t The Verge)