For many Google Apps users, their password is their only line of defense when it comes to security breaches. As hackers get more sophisticated, passwords are becoming increasingly weaker as the main barrier to intruders. Given the risk associated with a password getting uncovered by those who wish to do harm, Google is looking to new methods of verification for accessing your private data.

As of now, a small selection of Google Apps users have been invited to try out password-free logins for a more secure way to access their accounts. Instead of prompting you for a password after entering your email address on the login screen, these users will be sent a notification on their mobile device asking if it is in fact them who is attempting to login on the device. They can approve the login by tapping “yes” on the mobile notification.

Using mobile devices as a login security measure is not an entirely new concept. In fact, we have posted about setting up 2-step verification, which adds mobile verification as a second layer of login security after you have entered your password. The fact that a mobile device is almost always on your person, and usually has its own password (in some cases a thumbprint, which can not be replicated) make it an obvious choice for additional security.

Given the prevalence of phishing scams to maliciously gain access to passwords, we think this functionality is a much needed step in the right direction. As of now, Google has not announced when password-free logins will be available to the public beyond the small group testers to whom they have currently rolled it out.