Recently, Google has begun testing an alternative method for users to sign in to their Google accounts without using a password; it was first noticed by a user on Reddit. This is done by using a smartphone to somehow authenticate a login.
Interestingly, Google isn’t the first to implement such technology. In fact, the idea was earlier showcased by Yahoo in it’s recently announced “Account Key”. Both methods carry similar ways of accessing an account without having to use a password. Basically, when a user keys in a username on either a Google or a Yahoo login page, a notification is sent to the account owner’s smartphone. The notification will prompt the owner to either accept a login or choose to deny a login if, say, someone else is trying to login.
Password-free technology may prove to be very efficient for a majority of users that are either tired of remembering their complicated passwords or simply for additional security. A two-factor authentication would also decrease the biggest issue that most Internet consumers fear: getting hacked. If proven effective, other websites may eventually follow suit.
Unfortunately, Google mentioned that its new login method is still in the testing phase and only a certain amount of users would be directly invited to try the new feature. Fellow users that are still using simple passwords such as “123456” or “888888”, you might want to keep an eye on this.
(Source: Reddit via Techcrunch)
