Google hates passwords, wants you to sign up for sites without them
Do you hate having to remember different passwords for every site you sign up for? Google sympathizes. They're working on a way to let you keep far fewer passwords in your life on the web. It's actually something that sites like Plaxo and Facebook already do: allowing you to register for a site by sharing information from an existing account (like your Gmail, for example).
The information never gets stored by the new site you're signing up for, so using your existing credentials is both convenient and secure. Plus, you don't get one of those annoying email messages asking you to confirm your account. (Is it just me, or do those things get marked as spam most of the time, anyway?)
Google's working on some code that will let companies offer this service - it's called "hybrid onboarding," technically - to their users. It's not going to have an immediate impact, but I hope this will cause more sites to get on board with hybrid onboarding and ditch the annoying signup processes and endless passwords.
[via AppScout]
The information never gets stored by the new site you're signing up for, so using your existing credentials is both convenient and secure. Plus, you don't get one of those annoying email messages asking you to confirm your account. (Is it just me, or do those things get marked as spam most of the time, anyway?)
Google's working on some code that will let companies offer this service - it's called "hybrid onboarding," technically - to their users. It's not going to have an immediate impact, but I hope this will cause more sites to get on board with hybrid onboarding and ditch the annoying signup processes and endless passwords.
[via AppScout]













Comments
14
Subscribe to commentsMarkusNov 11th 2009 4:06AM
Looks like the same thing Microsoft tried with their passport. Amazing that the same people who hated passport now like a very similar approach.
riskNov 4th 2009 11:27AM
every site should have this, IIRC i have well over 100 different usernames/password combinations i have to remember..
JanNov 4th 2009 11:57AM
how is this different than OpenID which google already does ? aand a milion other providers ?
pmowNov 4th 2009 11:59AM
Have they not heard of OpenID?
pmowNov 4th 2009 12:07PM
I just signed up for PIP from Verisign, which uses my Paypal security token card ($5). Not only does it protect Paypal/eBay, but now it protects my openID login.
ippapyttu_454Nov 4th 2009 1:37PM
Terrible idea. Another reason not to use Google.
I will stick with RoboForm Pro.
kojo87Nov 4th 2009 1:56PM
why is this terrible? you only worry about keeping one online ID secure instead of the dozens you would have otherwise.
JeebusNov 6th 2009 3:51PM
Because now tracking you online becomes even easier. Imagine the data mining possibilities.
Saint SeminoleNov 4th 2009 1:44PM
If it works, and if it's secure, I like the idea.
I tried OpenID, and simply couldn't get it to work, even after reading pages of FAQs. I'd much rather use a simple username and password.
And, I'll admit that -- when possible -- I use very similar usernames and passwords across multiple sites anyway.
Dave ForsterNov 4th 2009 2:25PM
if you are an asp.net developer here's an article on my company website explaining how to implement this using RPX.
http://www.softwarenation.co.uk/ShowArticle.aspx?id=5542847160244501962
For the developer this could become a magic bullet for letting users log into your service(s) because you no longer have to implement a lot of the user management/authentication code which can get a little repetitious.
How well end users embrace this remains to be seen.
MonicaNov 4th 2009 7:07PM
I don't mean to be too obvious here, but isn't this a huge security issue? I can see where the convenience comes in, but I can't understand why anyone would want to do this. What would be several break in points for someone trying to steal your password such as your email account, bank account and so on, now becomes a single break in point. All you have to do is accidentally type your password on a key logging public computer and everything you do on line is available. This happens far more to lay people then you can imagine.
Just a thought.
Monica S
Los Angeles Computer Repair
http://www.sebecomputercare.com
Kat2Nov 4th 2009 9:32PM
It might be convenient but I don't want every site I use linked together. I don't need some psycho trying to stalk me online at every website I go to.
@risk (commenter #1): Sounds like you need Keepass.
TQNov 5th 2009 4:42AM
Open-ID
works like a charm on dailymotion.com
Then again Dailymotion.com allows you to sign-up/login with your facebook account.
JayMonsterNov 10th 2009 10:42AM
I find it funny. When Microsoft did this (Remember Microsoft Passport?), it was a "terrible idea because no one company... particularly a for profit one... should hold the keys to the land" but somehow this is a good idea for Google?