Over the years, the public has experienced the drawbacks of relying on weak passwords – including the likes of credit card fraud and identity theft. However, despite the many negative consequences of hacked login credentials, online users have yet to part with simplified passwords.

In fact, the top 10 passwords typically go unchanged from year to year and as we’re headed into 2020, the #1 is “123456” and #2 is “password.”

Fortunately for the throngs of people creating, using, and repurposing ridiculously simple passwords, many companies are building more secure methods of managing online accounts. In the future, these methods might replace the traditional keyboard password altogether.

2-Factor Authentication

As of now, 2-factor authentication will most likely be the first to take over the traditional password. However, 2F-A doesn’t make the login process simpler – it merely builds off your password to make your account more secure. Most major companies already offer 2F-A – like Apple, Google, Amazon, and even Instagram. If you activate this security feature, your login process will involve two steps, usually a traditional password combined with a code or approval sent via text or email.

Biometrics

What better way is there to validate a user than with the physical user? Biometrics plans to make the act of securing online accounts no big deal. With fingerprint readers, selfies, and retina scanners, biometric account verifiers are a surefire way to confirm if a user really is the rightful user of an account. With the integration of the fingerprint reader into the iPhone, Apple has done an excellent job of making biometrics a likely future for passwords. But that’s not the only biometric the public has seen. Voice and face recognition and retina scanners are also on their way to becoming a regular part of your day.

Wearables

Some companies (like PayPal) are fully determined to replace the traditional password with a wearable. In the future, PayPal would like you to swallow a chip while other companies simply want you to embed the chip under your skin like a tattoo. But those aren’t the only options that may come to fruition. The Nymi Band can monitor your heartbeat and unlock your accounts via a Bluetooth connection and unique heartbeat signature – something most wrist wearables aren’t able to do.

The future is here! Passwords, validations, authentications: we’re certain they will continue to morph and change as technology advances. But, our advice for now? Create a strong password! Here’s an easy, step-by-step guide to help ensure your accounts are safe!