Password protection is the most common way for secure logins, and for shoppers, gamers, emailers, and everyone else, they log in to countless sites and programs. For most people, it goes something like this: rack the brain for the 8-letter combination and the requisite number and symbol, remember which letter was capitalized, receive the prompt that you entered an incorrect password or username, use the “forget password” option and start all over. Just doing it once is exhausting, but it becomes even more so the more sites we use that require password protection. Well, Amazon is wanting to change the way we use passwords, and selfies.
Amazon’s New Idea for Password Protection
Amazon wants to do away with the traditional password system to make it easier for people to login and purchase on their site. Their idea: selfies. Imagine that instead of having a typed password, users could snap a picture or video of themselves for login authentication. With mobile technology on the rise, users don’t have to worry about typing long number and letter combinations on a small mobile screen. And forget about remembering complicated passwords. Instead, users can login to sites as easily as they snapchat. But Amazon is not just going for convenience. To avoid possible problems, not a simple picture will do—but rather a wink, smile, or turn of the head would make certain the person logging in is present and the authenticated user. An actual photo or video would go a long way in preventing password theft situations because hackers cannot easily steal real-time video of a face turn or an open-mouth smile.
Does Password Protection Need an Update?
In 2013, over 2 million passwords were stolen, compromising accounts of Facebook, Google, Yahoo, Twitter and other users around the world. Malicious software was unexplainably installed on countless computers, which directed compromising credentials to servers set up by hackers. That’s just one example. Password hacking has been a concern for users and site creators alike, who want to ensure the security of their web and computer information. Password security protocol encourages people to have multiple passwords for different sites, to use non-dictionary words, to combine numbers and letters and accent marks and everything in between. Can you remember “20MLG/$$@*b” and which site you created it for? And even still, those seemingly secure passwords are at risk by skilled hackers using the right malware at the right place and time. So is Amazon’s new idea for video login the hope for a secure future? Amazon is still working out the process and has yet to say confirm any plans for the future, but their patent application for the idea gives users hope that a more convenient and secure login option might be possible. And it gives people another reason to purchase that selfie stick.
Source: CNN Money