SCI/TECH: Passwords. Things of the past?

Will passwords soon be a thing of the past? Replaced by biometric and smart-card technology? Bill Gates thinks so.
Speaking at the Microsoft IT Forum in Copenhagen, Denmark, the Microsoft chairman predicted that people will soon rely on alternative means of authenticating their identity. Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates predicted the demise of the traditional password because it cannot "meet the challenge" of keeping critical information secure. There are many cases of internet fraud committed everyday, these may include; Auction and Retail Schemes Online, Business Opportunity/"Work-at-Home" Schemes Online, Identity Theft and Fraud, Investment Schemes Online, Credit-Card Schemes etc. These can be looked into in more detail at www.usdoj.gov... Are the Major Types of Internet.



I feel that this could be a very good idea, but only if it two pieces of ID is needed. There are too many cases of passwords being stolen and internet fraud, this is putting people off using the internet for banking and shopping. Once you need two forms of password or ID it is much harder to 'steal' someones identity.

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[edit on 11-17-2004 by Zion Mainframe]

I certainly hope this comes as no surprise to people in the computer industry. I've seen smart cards coming for years now, most high profile companies use smart cards and randomly scrambled passwords to lock down thier workstations.

I'm very surprised that this hasn't come along sooner. With internet technology evolving it seems daily, the reliance on the password seems to have lived a few lifetimes in computer terms. I'd like to see it.....although, to be honest, with the security leaks that lots of software has and Microsoft seems to be known for I'm not sure if I want Gates leading the way.

Cameron

This might work for the physicl security of various systems, but I don't see what is so secure about this stuff. If you have a biometric scaner, you can scan them, and then you can get total access to their priviledges. For physical devices, it might work, but if you have access to the physical, a screwdriver and/or hammmer can work as well.

Passwords can be very secure. They just need to be properly chosen, and handled carefully. You just use a long non-obvious alphanumeric-symbolic password, and it can be made very hard to guess. You just need to set it up, so it can't be brute forced.

Im glad I only use linux!!!!