Cyber security is obviously a matter of great importance on all sides. Just as encryption is becoming a social norm, so is the idea of increase password protection. Rather then relying on simply diversifying passwords, there are now moves to develop forms of security that include visual patterns and body interaction.
Everyone knows you are supposed to have a different password for every account, and one that uses multiple formats (numbers, upper and lower case letters, symbols, ect). But that creates its own problem, as with an increasing reliance on multiple forms of digital services and devices, the passwords become too numerous.
This topic(about new technology security passwords) was on the agenda at high-tech conference CeBIT today. Developers are looking for a new way to tackle this issue, and innovation is key.
First was a demonstration by Winfrasoft of a four grid system. Using patterns in the colored boxes, which change continuously the passcode itself is never the same. Making it very difficult to crack.
There is no way anybody could see which numbers you are looking at. You see typing numbers but you don’t know what the pattern is because each number is here six times, Steven Hope, managing director of Winfrasoft, explained.
Second we have the more controversial alternative that was presented. This was, of course, biometric data. Using microscopic chips embedded under the skin, a password that is directly affiliated with your body could be used. So could fingerprinting technology, or facial recognition software (which was being presented at the conference by KeyLemon).
This method of technology has been previously explored for a number of purposes. Tracking medical data to quickly inform hospital and emergency staff, finding missing persons, better organizing financial data, and much more are possible with biodata.
For the moment, however, we are stuck with our many passwords. I am sure I am not the only one who will admit to being lax on their cyber security in this regard. I have a handful of passwords, and they are all strong, but I don’t use only one for every site. I use a few for all of my sites, and it wouldn’t be hard to crack into my accounts.
Not that I am offering an invitation to try.
Source: AFP
