5 secure password alternatives you should consider

Passwords have been an important part of online security since the dawn of the Internet, and they are still the most common form of authentication today. However, with the rise of cyberattacks targeting password-based authentication and serious data breaches, passwords don't seem like a safe solution anymore.

So if passwords come with serious security risks, can we say goodbye to them and use passwordless login instead?

What's the problem with using passwords?

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While passwords are quite simple to use and work well with other authentication methods, they are not as secure as we would like. And it's mostly our fault.

Most easy-to-remember passwords are not strong, and most strong passwords are not easy to remember. To solve this dilemma, we can come up with a password or two that are almost impossible to crack and use them across all our different online accounts and devices. The trouble with this is, if one of your passwords gets into the wrong hands, all the apps and services that share that password can be compromised as well.

According to a Verizon study, more than 80% of hacking-related data breaches are caused by bad or stolen passwords (4 out of 5 breaches worldwide on average). It doesn't help that many people don't change the default password immediately (or don't change it at all) and these passwords are sometimes spread through hacker forums.

Meanwhile, password crackers are getting better at guessing passwords, which means it's only a matter of time before an 'uncrackable' password will be cracked. Also, passwords are being stolen through Social Engineering attacks, and these passwords are getting more sophisticated thanks to artificial intelligence (AI) - even ChatGPT has been found to write malware.

Additionally, passwords are sometimes sent over unsecured networks, which makes it easy for cybercriminals to steal them. If you've ever used WiFi in your favorite coffee shop, you've probably made this security mistake.

So if the password can no longer be secure, what are the best alternatives to it?

What are the best password alternatives?

Since static passwords and single-password authentication can cause serious security problems, we can replace them with more secure solutions and stop worrying about being online. But which alternatives are best for security purposes?

1. Biometrics

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In the context of cybersecurity, biometrics or biometric authentication is a security method that checks a person's unique biological characteristics to confirm the person's identity, such as fingerprints, hammock scans, etc. screen, voice verification or face recognition.

Conversely, because secure passwords are a combination of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and symbols - hard to remember, in short - it's easy to forget these passwords. Biometric authentication is secure by using features unique to you (i.e. your face, voice or fingerprint) and you'll never forget it.

While cybercriminals can use a copy of your face, voice, or fingerprint in a spoofing attack, the use of smart security tools and additional authentication methods is not enough. supplements can significantly reduce this risk. Using biometrics also reduces the risk of performing phishing and other types of Social Engineering attacks.

However, while biometrics are more secure and user-friendly than passwords, they also have some downsides. In particular, biometric authentication requires specialized hardware and software, which can make this method expensive. Also, biometric data is quite private, so some people may feel uncomfortable using it for authentication.

2. Multi-Factor Authentication

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As the name suggests, multi-factor authentication (MFA for short) is an authentication method that requires two or more factors for verification before allowing access to an online application or service.

So instead of being content with a static username and password, MFA requires additional verification factors like a one-time password, geo-location, or fingerprint scanning. By ensuring that user credentials are not stolen, MFA helps reduce the chances of fraud or successful identity theft.

While MFA is more secure than just using a static password, it is also less convenient because the user has to go through many steps. For example, if you lose the device you were using for a second authentication, you could be locked out of all online accounts that use MFA.

3. One-time password

Also known as dynamic passwords, one-time PINs, and one-time authorization codes (OTACs), one-time passwords (OTPs) are passwords that can only be used for one login session. So, as the name suggests, this combination of characters can only be used once, which helps it avoid some of the flaws of a static password.

Although the user's login name remains the same, the password will change with each new login. So, since the OTP cannot be used a second time, stealing it makes no sense for cybercriminals, rendering some types of identity theft ineffective.

The three most common types of OTP are SMS authentication, email, and email link (aka magic link) and all of them provide simple and secure login information for users. Since there are no static passwords, there is no risk of users not remembering or losing them.

However, OTP also has a few downsides and they involve carrier dependency - you won't get the OTP or magic link if your email or SMS provider doesn't send it to you. Even sending emails can be delayed due to slow Internet connection speed or similar factors.

4. Social login

Social login is a process that allows users to log in to applications and online platforms using information from the social networking sites (such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn) that they currently have access to. use. This simple and super-fast login form is a convenient alternative to the time-consuming, standard account creation.

However, breaches and leaks have caused many users to distrust social media logins in terms of security. As companies continue to collect user data, privacy concerns with social logins continue to grow.

5. Security key authentication

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To ensure that the right users have access to the right data, this type of MFA secures your passwords by adding a security key, a physical device that is plugged into your computer (via a USB port or connected to a USB connection). Bluetooth connection) every time you sign in to a service it protects.

Security keys are sometimes confused with security tokens, which are also physical devices but are devices that generate a 6-digit code when prompted by the MFA. Although there is a purpose, they are not the same.

While security keys can resist password-based attacks, they are still a relatively new player in the cybersecurity war. Also, if your security key is stolen or lost, this becomes a serious problem.

David Pac

Update 27 June 2023