Google may soon replace passwords with 'physical keys'

Search giant Google is set to kill off passwords and is experimenting with USB keys, mobile phones and even jewelry that can act as a physical 'key' to give users access to their account.

Google Vice President of Security Eric Grosse said: we feel passwords and simple bearer tokens such as cookies are no longer sufficient to keep users safe," the pair write in their paper.To log, users simply place the tiny Universal Serial Bus (USB) drive into their computer.

The firm is also believed to be experimenting with wireless chips that are already built into some mobile phones, and can even be built in jewelry. "One option uses a tiny USB key called a YubiKey. When the user plugs the key into a latop, they are automatically logged into all of their Google accounts - without ever having to type in a password," .