Days of the password are numbered
As hackers make advancements in cracking techniques and users continue to choose unsophisticated passwords, is it time to move away from conventional thinking in search of new ways of user identification?
The online payment merchant is spearheading a campaign for the industry to embrace new methods including biometrics. Voice identification, fingerprint scanning and keystroke analysis are all viable password replacements, says Marcus.
[alert color=”blue”] “Like magic, you’ll be authenticated and your payment will go through,” he told the BBC. [/alert]Fido to sniff out new technologies
PayPal, Lenovo, NXP and other companies have recently formed the Fido (Fast Identity Online) Alliance, to collaborate on identification technologies.
A firm working out of Sweden is using behavioural biometrics to verify users. BehavioSec says that its software learns how users type and then uses the data as part of the authentication process. For example, if a mobile device is stolen and the thief knows the PIN number, they will still be unable to authorise transactions without mimicking the owner’s timing to within fractions of seconds.
Meanwhile, Nuance, a company well known for its Dragon Dictate software, has been working on a speech recognition technology in the form of an app. The app, called Nina, can recognise a user’s voice to approve transactions. According to the firm, a customer can open Nina and say ‘pay my phone bill’ and the voice recognition software will pay the bill.
U.K. management nearly twice as likely to fall for phishing attacks compared to entry-level employees, survey reveals
A recent survey conducted by compliance training company Skillcast has highlighted a troubling trend in the cybersecurity landscape: U.K. management is almost twice as likely to fall for phishing attacks compared to entry-level employees. The survey reveals that the susceptibility to phishing attempts increases significantly with seniority, raising concerns about the effectiveness of current cybersecurity training programs across organisations. The ...
How to use profiles in Google Chrome to keep home and work life separate
As remote work and hybrid schedules become more common, maintaining a clear boundary between work and personal life is more challenging than ever. One effective way to manage this balance is by using profiles in Google Chrome. This simple feature allows users to create separate environments within the same browser, helping to keep work and home activities distinct and organised. ...
What do I need to know about Windows 10 End of Life?
Microsoft has announced it will cease support for Windows 10 next year, with updates and patches for the hugely popular operating system coming to an end on 14 October 2025. Once it reaches End of Life, Windows 10 will no longer receive updates for bugs or security fixes, nor time zone updates or general technical support. The operating system will ...
Employees frustrated by outdated tech
Businesses are failing to provide their employees with the technology needed to do their jobs efficiently, according to a new survey by Ricoh. The electronics firm surveyed 1,000 workers from across Britain and Ireland, finding that almost half (46%) reported that their current work setups were lacking. In many cases the blame for this was laid at the door of ...
Cyber training for employees – essential but often overlooked
Businesses across the UK spend millions of pounds each year ensuring their systems are secure and their data is best protected against cyber crime. However, there’s one aspect that can often be overlooked, despite it being the most common route in for hackers: employees themselves. The role that a company’s employees play in its overall cyber security cannot be understated. ...
Recognise ‘social engineering’ to dodge cybercriminals
Businesses with the best IT defences in the world are still liable to fall victim to cybercrime, if the behaviours of their staff members aren’t also considered. Hackers aren’t just using tech tools to gain access to sensitive data but also common behaviours, habits and actions – often those we as consumers don’t even realise we’re making. This is down ...
