Passwords are essential to secure your accounts and notebook computers or PCs from unauthorised users.

But remembering passwords can be a problem, especially when you subscribe to a whole lot of services that need password logons such as Gmail, corporate Web mail, Facebook and Flickr.

Writing the passwords down is a major mistake (what if someone gets access to it?) and so we continue to keep them in our heads.

Well, there is a solution to have less passwords to remember and it comes in the form of face recognition for notebook and desktop security.

If previously we were mesmerised by the use of fingerprint scanning technology to unlock a machine instead of a password, face recognition technology is said to be a better solution for password- protecting notebooks and desktops.

Manufacturers like Toshiba and Lenovo have ventured into such technology, providing users with another method of securing their systems.

Toshiba calls it SmartFace technology, which can be found on board its newly launched Portege M800, Satellite M300 and A300 notebooks.

As for Lenovo, its VeriFace Face Recognition software is available on its latest IdeaPad notebooks such as the U110 and IdeaCentre Q200 and K200 desktops.

Basically, face recognition technology allows the creation of a password by digital mapping the key features of a user's face. In the case of the Toshiba notebooks, it allows or denies access to people who might use the machines, depending on whether they have their faces profiled by the notebook's integrated Webcam.

Although this technology allows quick and easy login without having to remember passwords, it does need a little bit of work initially.

The user will need to register his facial features by allowing the software to scan in his face in front of the built-in Webcam. After which there usually should be no problems. Unless of course, his face changes drastically and he will be required to update his profile to have access to the machine!

To gain access, users need only face the Webcam. This face recognition technology can also be used to log into Web-based e-mail and other online services that need passwords.

Just like biometric-based security login, it is quite impossible to trick machines that need face recognition to sign in.