That passwords aren't secure is becoming an increasingly common consensus in the industry, and some tech companies are working together to develop better authentication methods to replace them. They have formed the FIDO (Fast IDentity Online, fast online identity verification) Alliance. Today, the alliance announced that Google has joined its board.FIDO is developing a new method for verifying user identities when they access websites and online services. Considered methods include biometric measurements, voice/facial recognition, USB security tokens, NFC, and one-time passwords, among others. FIDO's goal is to create a standardized authentication method applicable across various internet services to replace traditional passwords.Prior to Google, Lenovo, PayPal, NokNok Labs, and Validity, among other companies, had already joined the FIDO board. Semiconductor company NXP and input device manufacturer CrucialTec also joined FIDO today alongside Google.Joining the FIDO Alliance will greatly promote the development of open standards for better authentication methods sought by the industry. Google's information security lead, Sam Srinivas, stated that we continue to develop stronger, universal second-factor tokens as part of FIDO's new initiatives.In January, Google's security researchers published a paper outlining new methods for user authentication, including the use of a wearable USB token ring on the finger.