Google wants users to log-in to their accounts using their smartphones instead of passwords. The company aims to increase security against phishing attacks by eliminating passwords in account sign-ins.
Google is testing out a way for users to log-in to their accounts using smartphones to replace passwords. According to Dakota Financial News, Google sees passwords as the weak point in account protection. By replacing passwords with smartphones, users will be more protected from malicious attacks.
The big G sent out email invitations to a select group of users to try out the new sign-in method, as per Sydney Morning Herald. A spokesperson from Google said, "We've invited a small group of users to help test a new way to sign-in to their Google accounts, no password required."
Users will log-in to their accounts using their email accounts. A notification will be sent to their phones for authentication purposes. The notification will launch an application where users can authorize the log-in.
The password-free trial is exclusively available for those who were sent direct invitations by Google. Upon accepting the invites, participants can join the group called "Sign-In Experiments at Google".
Due to multiple accounts users have to log-in to social media and other platforms, they are required to generate several password combinations. Sometimes, these passwords are too complex that they are difficult to remember. Hence, most users have the same password for multiple accounts, making it easier for hackers to launch phishing attacks.
iTech Post reported that once the new method is approved, it can be activated in the Sign-in and security section under Google's account settings. Google will ask for a primary phone protected by a password or PIN to be linked to the account.
In case of emergencies like low phone battery, users can still manually enter their passwords to access their accounts. CQR Security co-founder and chief technology officer Phil Kernick said, ""Google are looking to replace the current one-factor password authentication - 'something you know' with a different one-factor phone authentication - 'something you have'".
