The government is backing a system to verify identities online. It would be fix for one of the fundamental challenges of the Internet today: many, many passwords. The U.S. Commerce Department says the new online security system will eliminate passwords and could boost e-commerce. The plan would call for a single sign-in each time a computer or smartphone is turned on, using a device such as a digital token, a smartcard or a fingerprint reader. Once logged in, users would have access to any website that has signed up for the program. Government experts say passwords don’t provide good security, because most people choose character combinations that are easily hacked. A security standard could also cut the size of Internet company help desks. According to the Homeland Security Department, the highest cost element of help desks is dealing with lost passwords. To learn more, you can check out U.S. Dept. of Commerce white paper at http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/04/15/administration-releases-strategy-protect-online-consumers-and-support-in