Asia Pacific users prefer biometrics as password alternative

MANILA -Biometrics as password alternatives for account logins are the preferred option of users in Asia Pacific (Apec) because of the convenience and security they provide amid the proliferation of phishing scams which are now being aided by artificial intelligence (AI), according to a study.

Fido Alliance, an open industry association focused on password authentication, said in its report that Apac users prefer entering passwords manually without any form of additional authentication, like one-time passwords sent out via emails or mobile messages.

“In Asia-Pacific, we see a growing interest among consumers in adopting more robust authentication methods, with biometrics emerging as a favored choice,” Fido Alliance executive director Andrew Shikiar said.

Biometric is seen as the popular option because users only have to scan fingerprints or conduct facial recognition for account access.

Convenience, security, reliability

Users in the region view this as convenient especially because they typically input password manually nearly four times a day or 1,200 times a year. They access financial services, work computers or accounts, streaming services, social media and smart home devices, the study noted.

Not relying on a traditional form of password is also seen to make online user experience more seamless.

“Globally, 70 percent of people have had to reset and recover passwords in the last two months because they’d forgotten them,” the Fido study noted.

The need for strong password authentication has been emphasized with the rise of online scams as 58 percent of Apac respondents observed an uptick in potential fraudulent activities.

The study noted that phishing scams are typically launched through emails, short-message service messages and social media, adding that AI tools are driving such schemes.

AI, according to the Fido Alliance, can make the cyber threats “more sophisticated and easier to do at scale.”

“Phishing remains the most used and effective tactic by cybercriminals to steal information, making passwords vulnerable no matter how complex they are. With new AI tools that make phishing attacks even more convincing and widespread, it’s crucial for service providers in the Asia-Pacific region to pay attention,” Shikiar explained.

Phishing is a fraudulent activity whereby hackers trick unsuspecting victims into providing personal information such as bank account details and contacts. Hackers can then use these to illegally obtain access to one’s bank account and siphon off money.