Android passwords may soon be a thing of the past.
Google to accounts instead of traditional passwords. The certification was announced at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.
However, users should be aware that the new change only applies to devices running Android 7 and above, which are used by about half of Android users, Cnet reported.
The new feature will be available with an automatic update, according to the FIDO Alliance.
However, it should be noted that fingerprints or security keys as passwords were already used in some applications on Android devices, mainly for banking and other financial services. The new certification opens up security features to any Android developer, allowing them to log in without a password to mobile browsers and applications.
The main concerns
Passwords are, in a way, a key to every digital space, allowing users to access accounts that manage their finances, social lives, and more.
However, the debate over privacy issues is growing. User security is at greater risk when the same password is used for multiple accounts.
Therefore, many security industry professionals are planning to do away with passwords and replace them with other tools such as biometrics and security keys. Unlike passwords, fingerprints and security keys are very difficult to steal.
The number of users with FIDO Authentication capabilities has grown dramatically, said Brett McDowell, director of the FIDO Alliance, in a statement. “With leading web browsers already compatible with FIDO2, it’s time for web developers to free their users from the risk and hassle of passwords and integrate FIDO Authentication right away.”.
It should be noted that in addition to Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Microsoft Edge already have the FIDO2 standard.
This security standard warns users whether they are connecting to an authentic page or a fake site designed to trick them. Hackers are known to create fake pages.
A 2016 TeleSign survey showed that the security firm found that 72 percent of companies plan to stop using passwords within the next decade and instead move to biometrics and two-factor authentication.
And it seems that Google is planning to do the same, as technology experts believe that fingerprints could be the best solution to replace passwords and provide more security for users.
