Today’s Tech Sightings:
Google Testing Password-free Login System
A spokesperson confirmed Google is testing a new password-free way to sign into accounts. The new system lets you verify your identity via your smartphone: You log in to your Google account as you always do, but instead of entering your email address and password, you provide just your email. Google will provide a secret code — and tell you to look at your phone. The Web giant will then send a message to your phone asking if you’re trying to sign in. If you say “yes,” you’ll then need to provide the secret code to gain access.
The Hidden Cost of Social Share Buttons
Want to know what people online think about your product? Easy. Simply embed a like or share widget or button on your page – right? Consider what recent studies by Akamai and Gomez.com, revealed. Seventy-nine percent of site users will wait no longer than three seconds to view a site. While that may seem a bit harsh, this problem becomes even more pronounced with mobile users.
Hello Kitty Website’s Security Leak Is Fixed
The Japanese owners of Sanrio said the company “corrected” a security vulnerability on the SanrioTown.com website, which features the iconic white cat and a host of other characters. In a security advisory posted on its website, Sanrio said: “We investigated the problem and applied fixes, including securing the servers identified as vulnerable.”
Cybersecurity Expert Warns German Banks of Retail Payments Risks
A top cybersecurity researcher told Reuters he found critical weaknesses in software that runs retail point-of-sale terminals in Germany. Karsten Nohl warned German banks that their retail payment systems have security flaws that could allow fraudsters to steal payment card PIN codes, create fake cards or siphon funds from customer or merchant accounts.
More: