The demise of the password came a step closer last March with the adoption of a new standard for physical "keys" for logging in to websites. "WebAuthn," as it's called, makes it easier for sites to let users log in through a physical method - rather than relying on  having to remember a password.

These methods range from USB devices that act like a physical key to biometric devices such as fingerprint or eye scanners. The big hope is that such devices will reduce, and eventually eliminate, the need to rely on passwords which can be guessed or stolen in data breaches.