Google Acquires Aural Password Startup SlickLogin

SlickLoginGoogle has acquired SlickLogin, developer of a sound-based authentication system, for an undisclosed sum.

The Israel-based startup launched its offering in closed beta last September, pitched as an alternative to existing “overly complicated and annoying” security measures. It enables users to log in on their PC using their smartphone as a second factor of authentication – similar to the SMS system Google currently uses, but theoretically much smoother.

For each login SlickLogin generates a unique high-frequency sound, nearly inaudible to the human ear, and plays it through the PCs speakers. This is then detected and analysed by an app on the users phone, which plays a corresponding sound back to the PC and logs the user in. To make the whole process more secure, the smartphones location is verified using wi-fi, GPS, NFC or Bluetooth.

The idea is that SlickLogins service could be used to replace a traditional password, or just offer an extra level of security.

“Google … shares our core beliefs that logging in should be easy instead of frustrating, and authentication should be effective without getting in the way,” reads SlickLogins statement on the acquisition. “Google was the first company to offer two-step verification to everyone, for free – and theyre working on some great ideas that will make the internet safer for everyone. We couldnt be more excited to join their efforts.”

The SlickLogin team has already moved into Googles Tel Aviv offices, so we can probably expect to see the results of the acquisition before too long.