Doodle-based password system developed

Tuesday, March 29, 2016 - 13:43 by Mike Price

While Amazon may be working towards the integration of selfie-centric payment authentication, researchers at Rutgers University in the US have come up with an entirely different, yet similarly novel, way to allow people to log into accounts and carry out transactions via safe shopping online.

Wired reports that the team has created a system that replaces alphanumeric passwords with a so-called freeform gesture, essentially a unique doodle that users can create and then replicate again and again when required.

There are a number of advantages to using a doodle-based password system rather than one relying on letters and numbers, including the fact that passwords will be easier to remember and also tougher for cybercriminals to guess, according to project spokesperson, Janne Lindqvist.

He explained that modern mobiles were especially vulnerable to the attentions of hackers, since they contain private data and information on accounts of all kinds, including those that are supposed to offer shopping online.

In a study conducted by researchers, it was found that using the doodle-based passwords is not only speedier, but also lessens the amount of time that it takes for people to create accounts on sites and services.

This could be relevant for retailers who want to reduce the number of obstacles that are placed in the way of first time customers wanting to make an online purchase swiftly and without delay.

The doodles can be carried out on touchscreen devices, meaning they would not be a suitable login option for those who still prefer to shop from a desktop or laptop computer. But, with a growing number of people turning to their portable devices to fulfil their retail desires, it could be reasonable to assume that drawing a password would appeal in this growing marketplace over the next few years.