Communications of the ACM
Google Wants to Replace Your Passwords With a Ring
Google has developed rings to be worn on the finger that provide security for logging onto a computer or online account.
Credit: Movie Web
Google has developed rings designed to be worn on the finger for logging into a computer or an online account. Google's Mayank Upadhyay says using personal hardware for security applications removes the dangers of people reusing passwords or writing them down.
Google previously has worked on developing a slim USB key that performs a cryptographic transaction with an online service to prove the key’s validity when it is plugged into a computer. However, Google now is developing a prototype ring that could take the place of the key and is working with other companies to lay the foundation for using the technology to access different services and Web sites.
Upadhyay notes that effort is still in its early stages as Google seeks more partners. "The other cool thing, which we’re really pushing for, is that it’s just built into the browser, so that you don’t have to bother installing middleware or anything else," he says.
Google currently offers a more secure log-in service based on two-factor authentication. However, only about one percent of Google’s users have adopted it, and most users consider it too much effort to use, according to Upadhyay.
From Technology Review
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