London - It’s a bane of modern life remembering the myriad of passwords vital for everything from smartphones to bank accounts and online shopping.
This tedious task, however, is set to be a thing of the past as other methods are developed.
These include using fingerprint, voice and facial recognition instead of passwords seen as an outdated security risk.
Apple is among several companies preparing to turn to fingerprint recognition. It is said to be releasing a new iPhone allowing owners to identify themselves by pressing a finger onto the handset.
The technology could eventually spread to allow access to bank accounts and email accounts.
Google, maker of Android phones, is examining voice recognition, iris scanners, behavioural biometrics and heartbeat reading.
Michael Barratt, head of security at PayPal, said: “It’s a case of looking beyond passwords and the best alternatives are provided by smartphones.
“The general view is that Apple will launch a fingerprint-enabled iPhone before the end of the year.
“The Android handset market intends to stay competitive so it’s highly likely there will be fingerprint and voice identification- enabled devices from them too in the near future.”
Apple has bought a firm forging ahead in fingerprint identification technology and has submitted a patent for a biometric sensor.
Some smartphones already have voice recognition software and around a fifth have facial ID capabilities, including the Samsung Galaxy S III. - Daily Mail