Google has bought SlickLogin, a firm that develops sound wave identification technology to help users login to apps.
The SlickLogin system works by playing a uniquely generated, nearly-silent sound through computer speakers, which is picked up by an app on the user’s smartphone.
The app analyses the sound and sends a signal back to confirm the identity.
The technology can be used either as a replacement for a password or as an additional security layer.
Israel-based SlickLogin confirmed the acquisition on its website but did not provide any financial details of the deal.
“Today we`re announcing that the SlickLogin team is joining Google, a company that shares our core beliefs that logging in should be easy instead of frustrating, and authentication should be effective without getting in the way,” the firm said in a statement.
“Google was the first company to offer two-step verification to everyone, for free – and they’re working on some great ideas that will make the internet safer for everyone.”
Many firms, especially those in sectors such as financial services, have been adopting a two-step verification for users.
The steps include matching the user name and the password plus a second layer of verification.