Passcodes are flawed and they're going the way of the dinosaur.

Since most smartphone users store critical information such as contacts, banking, email and other mobile applications on their devices, there is an overriding need to set a passcode to secure vital information and maintain privacy.

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Unfortunately, more than 50 percent of smartphone users don't use passcodes.

There are two problems involving passcodes, said Jonathan Klein, president of MicroStrategy Inc., a global provider of mobile identity solutions for business intelligence. Passcodes aren't very user friendly and they're quite susceptible to intrusion.

Fortunately, phone makers have started to develop applications to replace the security authenticator.

Tech giant Apple, Inc. included Touch ID Security as a feature on its phones. It has a sensor that can detect fingerprints and it's in the iPhone5s.

HTC also included similar feature in its HTC One Max, while Samsung added it to its Galaxy S5 and Galaxy Tab S.

With the fingerprint app, mobile users can unlock their devices with their fingerprints instead of typing in a letter-number combination on the screen.

Android phones have also passcode alternatives under "Security" or "Lock Screen" in the settings.

Another option, called "Pattern," allows users to draw a pattern on the screen by connecting at least four out of nine dots.

LG has also its own version of the Pattern feature on its new G3 phone. The feature is called Knock Code, and it allows users to create a code by tapping on quadrants inside a square.

Although all these alternatives aren't foolproof, they're still better than no security at all.

Instead of using passcode system, these alternatives aim to reduce inconvenience enough for users to be secure once their phones fall into the wrong hands.

Tagspassword, Touch ID Security, iPhone5s, HTC, HTC One Max, Galaxy S5, Galaxy Tab S, LG, G3