The widespread practice of typing usernames and passwords to log on to the Internet might soon become obsolete.
Research from Accenture reveals that 60% of consumers find usernames and passwords cumbersome, and more than three-fourths (77%) are interested in using alternatives to protect their security on the Internet.
Consumers are increasingly frustrated with these traditional methods because they feel they are becoming less reliable for protecting their personal data such as email addresses, mobile phone numbers and purchasing history.
“As hackers use more-sophisticated and less-obvious methods, passwords are no longer seen as the definitive answers to the security question,” said Robin Murdoch, managing director of Accenture’s Internet and Social business segment. “Traditional one-step passwords are now being matched with alternative methods using biometric technologies such as fingerprint recognition and two-step device verification. Within the next few years we are likely to see many more consumers embracing these and other alternative methods.”
The research reveals that openness to alternatives is pervasive in countries in many different parts of the world, with consumers in China and India most likely to be open to a post-password approach at 92% and 84%, respectively. More than three-quarters (78%) of consumers in Brazil, Mexico and Sweden, and 74% in the United States, are also willing to consider security methods other than the usual login details.
The survey also found that less than half (46%) of consumers globally are confident in the security of their personal data. Consumers in emerging countries were slightly more confident in the security of their personal data than were those in emerging countries, at 50% and 42%, respectively.
“Digital trust concerns are not limited to one type of country or part of the world,” Murdoch said. “In developed and emerging countries, consumer wariness about data privacy and digital trust is intensifying as the exploding Internet of Things market generates unprecedented amounts of consumer data on more devices. Companies that build the most trust with consumers will be able to access more consumer data, use analytics to unlock more value from that data, and offer more revenue-generating services and applications leveraging Internet of Things opportunities.”