Oops, we broke the internet

Shanghai, CHINA: An elderly investor checks a computer at a local trading house in Shanghai, 08 June 2006. Chinese share prices closed little changed 08 June, steadying after the biggest single day loss in some four years on 07 June when investors sold off on concerns upcoming Initial Public Offerings (Getty Images)

Forgot your password again? It's not just you. The internet's main security system - the password - is ill-suited to the human brain and putting us all at risk of identity theft, writes Rachel Swaby in the Atlantic.

"Overall we're asked to hold keys to 30-40 sites in order to read the news, access our email, or book a haircut. For each of these sites, security analysts recommend using a unique string of 14-characters made up of letters, numbers, and special symbols. But remember: Computers are quick to guess dictionary words, your birth year, and numbers substituted for letters. No repeats allowed. Oh, and whatever you do, don't write anything down."

So what are the alternatives? Swaby looks at finger swipes, facial recognition systems and even the old fashioned signature.