Auto-translation used

Why passwords are outdated: what is replacing traditional authentication?

The world of technology is changing at a tremendous rate, and the methods of protecting our data are not left out. Passwords, which have served as the main authentication method for many years, are beginning to lose their relevance. Today, more modern and secure alternatives are actively developing in the field of information security. In this article, I will talk about the reasons for password obsolescence and what comes to replace them, based on my personal experience with various authentication methods.

For many years, passwords have been the main way to protect online accounts, but this method has serious drawbacks:

  1. Weak passwords. People tend to use simple combinations like "123456" or "password", which makes their accounts easy prey for hackers.
  2. Multiple uses. Users often use the same password on different platforms. In the event of a leak on one service, their data is also at risk on other sites.
  3. Phishing attacks. Even complex passwords cannot protect against phishing attacks, when fraudsters trick users out of their data.

In practice, I have already come across the fact that many companies are gradually abandoning the use of passwords in favor of more secure methods. Here are some of them:

  1. Multi-factor Authentication (MFA). This approach adds an additional layer of protection by requiring the user to enter a code from an SMS, generate a token in a special application, or use biometric data. From personal experience, I can say that using MFA significantly reduces risks, although it adds a step in the authentication process.
  2. Biometrics. Fingerprint scanners, facial recognition and voice authentication have become popular thanks to smartphones. Biometrics is convenient because it eliminates the need to remember passwords. Personally, I prefer to use biometrics in Apple and Android devices, where data is stored locally, which minimizes the threat of interception.
  3. Security keys (FIDO2). This method uses physical devices for authentication, such as USB keys. I have set up such keys several times to protect corporate accounts, and I can say that this is a reliable solution, although it requires additional devices, which is not always convenient for the mass user.

Traditional passwords are gradually fading into the background for several reasons:

  • Safety. Modern security methods such as biometrics and security keys significantly reduce the risk of hacking.
  • Convenience. Users do not need to memorize complex combinations or fear phishing if they use MFA or biometrics.

Based on my experience with new authentication methods, I see that the future belongs to more secure and convenient ways to protect data. Passwords, despite their prevalence, can no longer provide the necessary level of security. Instead, new technologies offer users convenient and reliable authentication methods that will soon become the standard.

Comments 11

Login to leave a comment

Лично я отдаю предпочтение qr-авторизации. Удобно и более безопасно 🙂‍↕️

Reply

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Reply

Полезная статья, сейчас у многих один пароль на все аккаунты

Reply