Passwords and Password Security Today
Until recently, the idea that you might lose or forget an important password was enough to cause profound fear and anxiety. So much so, that many individuals refused to follow best practices and the advice of their IT departments to use strong passwords, change them regularly, and never, ever, share your passwords with other persons.
But passwords may be a problem of the past in the not-too-distant future.
There are many methods you can rely on to save passwords somewhere secure so you can access them later without having to remember them. Password managers, such as LastPass, Keeper, Zoho Vault, Bit Warden, and more, not only remember your passwords, but can help you create them and ensure they are robust and tough to crack.
The problem with passwords is that they are inherently insecure — even with the best password managers, such as those listed here, the user still has to configure these programs to generate robust passwords, and there is always the possibility that a user’s master password (the one that secures all the others) could become compromised.
So what’s the alternative?
Passwords May No Longer Be the De Facto Security Option
The good news is that passwords are no longer the only method of securing your data, documents, applications, bank accounts, and more.
Think about the average cellphone today — many can determine your identity through facial recognition, fingerprint analysis, iris, or voice authentication. These biometrics are commonplace in consumer technology and are finding their way into the business world. In fact, biometrics remove the need for conventional passwords and may make using technology safer.
Sensors Will Revolutionize How We Log In
Many major companies, like Lenovo, are already making changes to decrease the world’s reliance on passwords. User Sensor technology allows hardware to detect your presence, thereby eliminating the need for a password. Other technologies, such as Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) are already available.
Passwords May Be a Problem of the Past
With other options available (and more on their way), the world without passwords could keep data more secure and users safer. Moving away from traditional passwords will also remove the need to create, secure, remember, and recreate passwords entirely. Think about it: If there are no passwords to steal, they can’t be taken through phishing or other methods.
Final Thoughts
Most of us that grew up with technology can’t imagine a world without passwords — but it is likely that passwords may be a problem of the past sooner than we think!
