Chrome and Firefox moving away from passwords with new USB key tech

Instead of using a password-based system, which has many security risks, WebAuthn allows users to log in to online services with a fingerprint scanner or a special USB security key (token). — dpa

First Firefox, now Chrome: Users can now log in to websites and online services without entering a password. The new standard, called WebAuthn, will be enabled in Google Chrome's version 67. It is already supported by Firefox, with Edge likely to follow in the coming months.

Instead of using a password-based system, which has many security risks, WebAuthn allows users to log in to online services with a fingerprint scanner or a special USB security key (token).

Google has also announced that it has closed 34 security loopholes in the new browser version and that it has improved protection against phishing and other cyber attacks that exploit processor vulnerabilities with Meltdown and Spectre. — dpa