Passwords ‘no longer enough’ for online safety

A Google research paper highlights the lack of protection passwords offer internet users and the growing need to reinvent the authentication system to ensure safe surfing.

The paper, set to be published in the IEEE Security & Privacy Magazine later this month but already seen by Wired Magazine, puts forward a strong argument for the abolition of traditional internet passwords in favour of a physical token such as a “smart ring” or a card that connects to the computer via the USB slot.

“Along with many in the industry, we feel passwords and simple bearer tokens such as cookies are no longer sufficient to keep users safe,” write Google’s Eric Grosse and Mayank Upadhyay in the paper.