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Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Why did Google acquire sound login startup SlickLogin? Because security needs to be simple

Why did Google acquire sound login startup SlickLogin? Because security needs to be simple:


With security breaches on the rise, and the seemingly persistent inability for humans to create and remember secure passwords, it’s clear that we need another solution for our ongoing security needs.

SlickLogin, a startup that uses sound to authenticate website logins, is one such solution. And, not surprisingly, Google confirmed yesterday that it has acquired the startup, TechCrunch reports.

In short, SlickLogin’s technology produces a nearly silent sound when visiting a website, which is then picked up by a mobile app, verified, and sent back to the company to confirm your identity. It’s a much simpler version of standard two-step authentication methods, which typically involves a code being sent to your phone or other device when trying to access a website.

Since it relies on multiple devices and uses randomly generated codes, not a password that can be forgotten or stolen, two-step authentication is vastly safe than mere password logins. The problem? It’s significantly slower than just logging into a website with your password. SlickLogin’s technology could squash that delay — and even better, it could potentially be simpler than typing in a password for many users.

Announcing the acquisition on its website, SlickLogin described Google as “a company that shares our core beliefs that logging in should be easy instead of frustrating, and authentication should be effective without getting in the way.” The company also pointed out that Google was the first company to offer two-step verification to a vast majority of users.

Expect to see an increased focus on simplified security over the next few years. Apple’s TouchID fingerprint sensor on the iPhone 5S, for example, makes it easier to unlock to your iPhone securely, compared to just swiping an insecure iPhone. When security becomes more convenient, consumers won’t think twice about adopting it.







    

















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