Google is one of several companies exploring replacements for the common password. One method the search giant is now experimenting with is simple enough; in fact, you may already use it as part of an existing two-factor authentication procedure.
Typical passwords have a couple of inherent flaws. For starters, most people don’t use complex passwords which makes it that much easier for cracking programs to figure them out. What’s more, people tend to use the same password across multiple accounts. If a service gets hacked or your password otherwise gets exposed, several online accounts could easily become compromised. Two-factor authentication certainly helps but many choose not to use it as it’s a “hassle.”
