Passwords were introduced over 60 years ago to ensure the security of accounts within controlled computing environments. However, the advent of the Internet has significantly transformed the landscape of account security, as we now must protect our accounts from billions of potential threats globally. The emergence of sophisticated malware further complicates this issue, rendering even the most complex passwords insufficient for ensuring security.
Additionally, the prevalent practice of using email addresses as a component of the authentication process poses a further risk, as these addresses are publicly accessible and effectively expose half of the login credentials. Consequently, the traditional password security model is fundamentally flawed. Attempting to enhance this model with supplementary security measures is akin to attempting to navigate a sinking ship.
Given these challenges, what is next for better authentication?