Saying Goodbye to Passwords with Passkeys

Michael Podlabeniouk
April 18, 2024

Passkeys are a new way to log in to websites and apps that ditch passwords altogether. They offer a more secure and convenient login experience compared to traditional passwords. Here's a breakdown of how they work:

Saying Goodbye to Passwords:

Instead of remembering complex passwords, passkeys rely on your existing device authentication methods like fingerprint scan, facial recognition, or PIN.

The Power of Two Keys:

When you create a passkey for a website, your device (phone or computer) generates a special pair of keys – a public key and a private key.
The public key gets stored on the website’s server, while the private key stays securely locked on your device.

Logging In with Ease:

When you revisit the website and try to log in, the website recognizes you and prompts for authentication using your device’s built-in methods.
You use your fingerprint, face scan, or PIN to verify yourself.

The Secure Magic Behind It:

The private key never leaves your device. Instead, it creates a unique digital signature that proves you possess the correct passkey for that website.
This signature is sent to the website along with the public key. The website verifies the signature using the public key it has stored, granting you access.

Benefits of Passkeys:

Enhanced Security: Since no passwords are transmitted or stored, there’s nothing to steal in a data breach.
Improved Convenience: No more struggling to remember complex passwords. Just use your fingerprint or PIN to log in.
Universal Login: Passkeys work across different devices and platforms as long as they support the technology.

Passkeys are still under development, but major tech companies like Google, Apple, and Microsoft are collaborating to make them the future of online authentication.

Which websites support Passkeys?

There are current around 30 websites that support passkeys for login. Please note that passkeys serve as a full password alternative for login on these platforms.