As organizations continue to explore alternatives to traditional password security measures, MasterCard has taken an unconventional approach, introducing what they call “Selfie identification.” The need for such novel security measures is quite pressing, as a recent report revealed that an alarming 90% of passwords can be cracked within mere seconds. MasterCard’s new selfie ID, part of a broader suite of security services, was devised to bolster security while adding an element of fun, with features also including fingerprint scanning.
According to the Telegraph, this innovative service underwent testing in the United States and the Netherlands last year, and is slated to launch this summer in approximately 12 countries throughout Europe and North America.
Demystifying The Process
Getting started with the new system involves downloading an app for either mobile or desktop use. When making payments via the new app, users are prompted to enter their card number as is customary. But now, users are given the option to authenticate identity by taking a selfie or using the fingerprint scanning feature, thus adding a layer of biometric security. In order to ensure that users are genuinely present and not merely presenting a picture, the system requires users to blink during the selfie-taking process.
The gathered information is then channeled to the MasterCard Identity Check, the nitty-gritty technology facilitating this process. This data, securely encrypted, is subsequently transmitted to MasterCard across the internet.
MasterCard’s innovation is part of a broader push across the tech industry to render traditional passwords obsolete. Observers have argued that passwords have outlived their usefulness, and forecasts indicate it may take another five years before they are phased out of daily online authentication processes completely. Other corporations, including tech giants Google and Yahoo, are among those leading the charge in shifting away from password-based security.
Who would have envisaged a day when something as mundane as taking a selfie could morph into a high stakes ticket to secure financial transactions?
Paul Balo is the founder of TechBooky and a highly skilled wireless communications professional with a strong background in cloud computing, offering extensive experience in designing, implementing, and managing wireless communication systems.
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