How can I secure my computer without a password?

Passwords are outdated and unsecure. Learn how passwordless authentication works, why it’s safer, and how organizations can make the transition now.

While passwords were once our only digital defense, today’s passwordless solutions are making the future more secure than ever, reshaping how we think about identity and access.

In this post, we’ll dive into the current state of passwordless technology, explore how it works, and answer common questions, including:

  • Does every computer require a password?
  • What is a passwordless login?
  • Is having no password a security issue?

 

The password problem: Why it’s time to move on

Passwords have been the cornerstone of digital security since the dawn of personal computing. But in the face of increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks, they’re now viewed as more of a weak link than a safeguard.

Passwords are:

  • Easy to forget - People juggle dozens of accounts, often reusing the same weak passwords across multiple platforms.
  • Easy to steal - Phishing, keylogging, and database breaches make passwords highly vulnerable.
  • Hard to manage - In enterprise environments, where users log in to multiple systems throughout the day, passwords add friction and frustration.

These issues have driven the shift toward passwordless authentication methods, which verify your identity without a traditional password.

 

Are there passwordless login options?

A passwordless login grants access to a computer or service without entering a password, using something you are (biometric), have (hardware token or device), or do (behavioral patterns). The goal: combine security with convenience.

Common examples of passwordless logins include:

  • Biometric methods like fingerprint scans and face authentication
  • Smartcards or security keys that plug into a USB port
  • Push notifications to trusted mobile devices
  • Enterprise access management platforms that use single sign-on (SSO) multifactor authentication (MFA)

 

Does every computer require a password?

Historically, operating systems required at least a local account password during setup. Today, many systems support passwordless authentication out of the box.

  • Windows Hello (Microsoft) allows facial recognition, fingerprint scanning, or a PIN code tied to the device. It’s a strong example of consumer-facing passwordless technology.
  • For macOS and iOS users, Apple’s Touch ID and Face ID are integrated seamlessly into their ecosystem.
  • Though not as mainstream, Linux distros can be configured to support fingerprint readers or hardware tokens like YubiKey.

So while not every computer requires a password, most still default to using one. However, IT teams can configure passwordless login options at the enterprise level, either natively or via third-party platforms like Imprivata access management solutions.

 

Is having no password a security issue?

Yes — if there’s no other form of authentication. Systems without any authentication are wide open to attack. But passwordless authentication does not equal no security. In fact, it often enhances security by using factors that are harder to steal or replicate.

For example:

  • A fingerprint can't be phished.
  • A push notification can’t be brute-forced.
  • A face scan is unique.

The real question is whether you’re using secure authentication factors — ideally in combination.

 

How to log in to my computer without a password

Here’s how your organization can move toward a passwordless setup:

1. Enable biometric authentication - Most modern laptops and mobile devices support some form of biometric login.

2. Use a security key – Many devices now support USB- or NFC-based login methods that comply with FIDO2 standards, such as badge-based tap and go access.

3. Pair with a trusted device – Logging in using a registered smartphone as a second authentication factor.

4. Deploy enterprise access management – Platforms like Imprivata offer layered and scalable passwordless solutions designed for high-security environments.

 

The rise of enterprise passwordless tools

For enterprises, moving toward passwordless authentication is essential. Securing a growing number of endpoints, devices, and users – often across remote, hybrid, and shared environments – demands advanced, passwordless solutions.

Challenges with passwords at scale:

  • High helpdesk costs for resets
  • User resistance to frequent password changes
  • Difficulty enforcing compliance

Benefits of going passwordless:

  1. Mitigate breach risk – Credential theft remains a top breach vector.
  2. Improve operational efficiency – Reduce password resets and free up IT resources
  3. Enhance user experience – Faster access without security trade-offs
  4. Enable multifactor authentication – Combine methods (e.g., biometrics + smartcards, badges + behavioral analytics) based on role and risk

The best solutions don’t just reduce or eliminate passwords; they adapt to the risk, context, and compliance requirements of your environment.

 

Passwordless authentication is the future

We’ve reached an inflection point. Securing devices without relying on passwords has become a necessity. Advanced, passwordless solutions improve security, streamline access, avoid costs, and reduce friction.

At Imprivata, we understand that different environments have different needs. Whether you’re securing shared workstations in a hospital, managing mobile endpoints on the factory floor, or enabling secure remote workforces, our passwordless authentication solutions are:

  • Purpose-built for clinical and high-security environments.
  • Flexible, allowing biometric, badge, mobile, and behavioral access methods.
  • Integrated with existing identity and access management (IAM) and electronic health record (EHR) systems.
  • Scalable, from a single department to thousands of devices enterprise-wide.

We believe passwordless authentication should be secure, seamless, and scalable — not a compromise, but an upgrade.

Request a demo to learn how Imprivata can help you confidently transition into a password-free future.