Authentication Tokens for Password-less Access?

Posted by Cliff on Friday September 23, 2005 @11:25AM from the lose-your-keys-AND-your-passwords-at-the-same-time dept.

A not-so anonymous Anonymous Coward puts forth this query: "As someone who tires of constantly remembering and re-entering many passwords in possibly hundreds of uses, it strikes me that something as simple as a USB memory-stick device containing security tokens cannot be simply used in favour of passwords. Kernel messages could be monitored for tokens and update local access as needed (such as opening kwallet or disabling the screensaver). Is this really any less secure than say, using a key in the front door? It would be great to hear what the Slashdot community have found useful in reducing the number of passwords that need to be remembered, and what progress (if any) is being taken to increase security while providing ease of access?"

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Smartcards by MeanMF · 2005-09-25 17:15 · Score: 2, Insightful

There are plenty of USB-based Smartcards out there. Not sure about Linux drivers, but they work great with Windows.

The problem with Biometrics is that if somebody does manage to forge your credentials, it's very difficult to change your "password" (fingerprint/retina/etc).