MasterCard and Visa are working on a new standard that will offer invisible authentication and far fewer prompts for passwords from users.

MasterCard says it has a vision for how the world of online security will look when more and more retail sales are processed via mobile devices and not PCs.

The co-backed standard is mentioned as part of its vision.

The idea is to leverage additional cardholder data, meaning fewer password interruptions at the point of sale, it said.

If a demand for user authentication is needed, users can identify themselves with one-time passwords or fingerprint biometrics rather than having to remember so-called static passwords.

The Mastercard/Visa protocol could be adopted in 2015. It will gradually replace the current 3D Secure protocol.

This plan is separate from its initiative with Visa and American Express to produce a tokenisation standard, said MasterCard.

The proposed authentication standard is about identity management, while the tokenisation project relates to credential management, which is physical or virtual credit and debit cards, it explained.

The authentication standard is described by MasterCard as being “the largest wholesale upgrade to online payment security”.

Other post-password ideas suggested by MasterCard include piloting commercial tests for facial and voice recognition apps. Or trialling a wristband which identifies a cardholder through their unique cardiac rhythm.